A productive week
The friendly against Villa rounded off Chelsea's trip to Abu Dhabi. The makeshift Blues squad will fly home this morning (Monday) and then regroup at Cobham on Wednesday along with those players who made early exits from the World Cup.
"We've had a fantastic week," said head coach Graham Potter after the 1-0 defeat to Villa. "It's been good to work with the boys who are here, the lads that have been injured have had a bit more time training and stepped their rehab on so that's good they are getting closer. It's been really positive to work in these conditions and we are happy with the week."
The biggest positive is the return of Reece James from injury. The 23-year-old rejoined the group on Monday and by the end of the week was back in team training. The match against Villa came far too soon for the England international to make his comeback, but there is hope he will be ready to take on Bournemouth when the Premier League season resumes on December 27.
READ MORE Aston Villa vs Chelsea highlights: Armando Broja stretchered off after John McGinn scores winner
"Reece has moved forward this week" explained Potter. "And Wesley [Fofana] and Carney [Chukwuemeka] are also moving forward, so that's positive. Then hopefully Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] and Ben Chilwell can take a step forward in their rehab next week."
Trevoh Chalobah was a surprise absence against Villa having been named in the starting XI for the contest. However, football.london understands the decision to take the centre-back out of the side was only a precaution and he is expected to return to training with the rest of the squad at Cobham.
Hall and Hutchinson make their case
Given the relative inexperience of the Chelsea side – especially when compared to the Villa starting XI – it was never going to be an easy runout. Yet while the match was very much a fitness exercise for the likes of Marc Cucurella, Jorginho and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng, it was an opportunity to impress for those players who usually represent the Development Squad.
Nobody let themselves down, which is important to stress, but there were a couple of standout performers. Lewis Hall was handed a central midfield berth following his previous outings at wing-back under Potter and impressed. Still only 18 years old, the academy graduate's calmness on the ball coupled with his unrelenting energy stood out.
Hall was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet too as he forced Robin Olsen into a fine low stop early in the second period. His influence did wane as the game progressed, but that was mainly because he was moved into a centre-back role during the latter stages.
Omari Hutchinson also caught the eye. Signed from Arsenal in the summer, the 19-year-old has produced a string of outstanding performances in Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy and has been an unused substitute three times for the first time under Potter.
The winger certainly made his case as to why he should be handed a debut when the campaign restarts. In the opening period, he tested Olsen early before producing a wonderful run inside two defenders and a shot that agonisingly rebounded back off the post and back into play.
Hutchinson's close control of the ball when running at full speed is a rare skill. It's one that can be harnessed and used in the months ahead by Potter. And the youngster has a strong voice of support in the dressing room as James posted on social media after the game: "Balla. If u (sic) don’t know, get to know!!!"
January decision awaits
It was the immediacy of Armando Broja's reaction that made the severity of his injury clear. His screams of anguish echoed around the Al Nahyan Stadium as he clutched his knee after a collision with Ezri Konsa. The academy graduate required treatment – and fast. That he eventually left the pitch on a stretcher was, sadly, the inevitable outcome.
The extent of Broja's injury will not be known until he has undergone scans on his knee. That will happen in the coming days after any swelling has subsided and Chelsea are back in the UK. The hope will be that it isn't serious, or at least isn't as serious as it appeared. The reality may prove somewhat different.
"It was an unfortunate action, I think he got caught up with their player and the ground," explained Potter to Chelsea's in-house media after the narrow defeat in Abu Dhabi. "It doesn’t look positive at the moment, but it is too early to say. Fingers crossed, but it is an awkward one."
If Broja is ruled out for a prolonged period, it creates a problem for Chelsea to solve as the other options available to Potter to fill the No. 9 role are Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang, neither of whom were in spectacular form prior to the break for the World Cup.
The January transfer window may help provide a solution. Yet there is also the potential for a costly mistake to be made. Cristiano Ronaldo – the world's most famous free agent – will certainly be linked, but bringing in a 37-year-old who has been dropped by Manchester United and Portugal this season doesn't feel a smart move.
Joao Felix, who Atletico Madrid are prepared to sell during the winter window, is a potential option to explore. Yet any deal wouldn't come cheap and he may also impinge on Christopher Nkunku, whose switch to Stamford Bridge come the end of the campaign is virtually wrapped up. So it's a situation that has to be handled intelligently.
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