Chelsea have been offered Atletico Madrid pair Joao Felix and Matheus Cunha in January after Armando Broja was ruled out for the season with a knee injury, leaving the Blues short at the top of the pitch.
Broja was stretchered off midway through the first half of a midseason friendly against Aston Villa, and was subsequently revealed to have torn his anterior cruciate ligament, leaving the 21-year-old sidelined for the remainder of the season.
“Scan results from those assessments have unfortunately confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and that surgery will be required”, a Chelsea statement read.
“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.”
Chelsea’s Armando Broja before the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Wednesday October 19, 2022. 2K7XFPY Chelsea’s Armando Broja before the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Wednesday October 19, 2022. (Alamy Stock Photo)
It means that the Blues are now expected to be actively hunting for a striker this January, with only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz currently on their books to lead the line. The pair have a combined four goals so far this season in the top flight, far below the return that the Blues would have expected.
Atletico duo linked
Now, as per the London Evening Standard, the Blues have been offered Atletico Madrid pair Cunha and Felix, with the Rojablanca needing to balance their books after an early Champions League exit.
Felix could also be available on loan, though it is expected that Diego Simeone’s side would also look for an obligation to buy the player at the end of the loan spell, which could complicate matters given that Christopher Nkunku is expected to join the Blues from RB Leipzig in the summer.
Meanwhile, Memphis Depay could also be another short term option, with the Dutchman out of contract with Barcelona this summer, and could offer Barca a chance to raise some much needed cash through his sale.