Newcastle United's top-four rivals Chelsea have been dealt a bitter blow as they prepare for the Premier League campaign to restart. Striker Armando Broja, who was linked with a move to St. James' Park last summer, looks set to miss the rest of the 2022/23 campaign.
The Albanian striker ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the first-half of a friendly against Premier League opposition Aston Villa. The 21-year-old has played a bit part role for Chelsea this season after returning from a loan spell with Southampton.
In 12 Premier League games this season, Broja has scored once and grabbed one assist but is yet to play the full 90 minutes for Graham Potter's side.
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A club statement read: "Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday’s friendly against Aston Villa, Armando underwent further assessment following the club’s return to England."
Scan results from those assessments have unfortunately confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and that surgery will be required. Following the operation, Armando will work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign.
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