Chelsea star Armando Broja will miss the rest of the season (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea forward Armando Broja says he is ‘devastated’ to be ruled out of the rest of the season but has vowed to ‘come back even stronger’ from his injury setback.
Broja, 21, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament when he collided with Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa during Sunday’s friendly in Abu Dhabi.
The Albania international made 12 Premier League appearances for Chelsea before the mid-season break for the World Cup and scored his first goal for the Blues in a 3-0 win over Wolves in October.
Chelsea said in a statement: ‘Scan results have unfortunately confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and that surgery will be required.
‘He will work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehab.’
Broja impressed on loan at Premier League club Southampton last season and could have been relied upon by Graham Potter after the World Cup, with first-choice striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang underwhelming since his move from Barcelona last summer.
But the striker now faces an extended period on the sidelines and said on social media: ‘I’m devastated to be ending 2022 in this way.
‘It’s been difficult to process everything over the past few days, but I am determined to come back even stronger and better than before.
‘Everyone has there own journey to the top, this is just a minor setback for the good things to come in the future.
‘Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support. It means a lot. I appreciate them all. I will be back soon.’
Chelsea lost three games in a row before the World Cup break to slip to eighth in the Premier League. Potter’s side face Bournemouth on December 27.
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‘It’s been difficult to process everything over the past few days.’
