Why Chelsea could turn to fringe forwards after Broja injury

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 13 Dec 2022 11:43 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea could be forced to rethink their transfer plans and a number of fringe players could rescue their futures at the club after Armando Broja picked up a potentially serious injury.

Broja suffered a knee injury and was stretchered off in Chelsea’s friendly against Aston Villa, with manager Graham Potter admitting the situation ‘doesn’t look positive’.

Should Chelsea’s worst fears be confirmed after a scan, they could be without Broja for a significant period of time, leaving Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the club’s only fit senior striker.

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The Blues were already lacking firepower, having scored the least amount of goals of any side in the top half of the Premier League table, but the injury to Broja has increased the need for a new striker.

While Chelsea were hoping to hold out until the summer to continue their spending spree, the club will certainly be looking at cost-effective options to ensure they can continue to push for a top four finish going into the second-half of the season.

How will Chelsea handle Broja’s injury?

The amount of funds available to Chelsea in January remains to be seen after they broke the world record for the most money spent in a single transfer window during the summer.

Although there are possibilities to sign the likes of Rafael Leao and Joao Felix in January, any major names would likely command a huge fee in excess of around €100 million, money which Chelsea may not have following their €300m splurge in the summer.

Recent reports have claimed that Chelsea have stepped up their chase for Dortmund youngster Youssoufa Moukoko, with the 18-year-old’s entering the final six months of his contract.

However, Moukoko would not instantly solve Chelsea’s striker crisis as Dortmund are unlikely to want to sell the striker in January despite suggestions they could cash in on him for around €30 million.

One name that will undoubtedly come into question is Cristiano Ronaldo, with the 37-year-old a free agent after leaving Manchester United, but his declining form and attitude will not have done much to convince Potter of his value despite owner Todd Boehly being keen to bring the Portuguese legend to the club in the summer.

As a result, Chelsea may have to look to within and build off the form of Ziyech and Pulisic after their performances at the World Cup, despite the club previously hoping to cash in on them in January.

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There is also the potential for Romelu Lukaku to return from loan, with Inter Milan thought to be unconvinced by his spell at the club and reluctant to extend it due to poor form and fitness concerns.

Although Lukaku had all but burned his bridges at the club, the Belgian has endured a torrid time in recent months and may be motivated to rescue his faltering career and prove his worth to his parent club.

Ultimately, while Broja’s injury comes at a devastating time for the youngster, there could be an opportunity for redemption for Chelsea’s fringe forwards to save the club’s season and their futures at Stamford Bridge.