Having netted just 17 goals in 14 Premier League fixtures before the World Cup break, Chelsea would have already spent much of the past few weeks contemplating whether they should enter the market for a new striker in January.
However, Graham Potter's hand has effectively been forced due to the serious knee injury sustained by Armando Broja during a friendly with Aston Villa on Sunday.
With the Albania international expected to be absent until next season, Potter has been left with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz as options down the middle of his attack.
Despite their respective high profiles, the Gabon and Germany internationals have netted just seven times between them during 2022-23, and Chelsea being eight points off the Champions League places in England's top flight means that they cannot afford to rely on that particular duo.
At a time when any deal for RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku is unlikely to go through until next summer, Sports Mole takes a look at five potential replacements for Broja ahead of the January transfer window.
YOUSSOUFA MOUKOKO
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Of all the strikers that Chelsea have been linked with, the most recent reports have been regarding Youssoufa Moukoko, who is out of contract at Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
The suggestion is that the Blues owners are prepared to hand the newly-capped Germany international a long-term contract if they are able to sign the 18-year-old on a free transfer in the summer.
However, they may instead look to accelerate their plans, hoping that Dortmund may be tempted into a sale for a cut-price fee in January rather than losing one of their prospects for nothing.
Despite his age, Moukoko has been a regular for Dortmund this campaign, contributing six goals and four assists from 20 outings in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Another factor in any decision-making from Dortmund may be the fact that the two clubs will square off in the Champions League last 16, and they may wish to avoid a player long regarded as their most talented youngster coming back to haunt them within weeks of a departure.
MATHEUS CUNHA
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While Joao Felix probably deserves a mention on this list, it is debatable whether Chelsea will be willing to meet any asking price for the Portugal international.
Instead, either a short or long-term move for Matheus Cunha looks more feasible, the Brazilian out of favour under Diego Simeone with just two starts to his name during 2022-23.
Like with Felix, Chelsea would face fierce competition should they pursue the versatile attacker. Arsenal, among other teams, are allegedly contemplating an approach due to an injury sustained by Gabriel Jesus.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are also known to be admirers of the 23-year-old, who appears destined to play in the Premier League from the turn of the year onwards.
Should Chelsea wish to get a loan deal over the line, they may be told that they have to agree to mandatory conditions for the summer.
MEMPHIS DEPAY
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You would be hard pressed to find the last transfer window where Memphis Depay was not linked with another team, and the upcoming period will be no different with the forward having less than seven months left on his Barcelona contract.
Although it has been suggested that the Netherlands international may see out the season at Camp Nou, interest will inevitably arrive from all over Europe.
Depay, who recently proved his fitness after a hamstring injury with 300 minutes at the World Cup, will only consider signing for a new team if he is to be regarded as a key player in the long term.
Depending on Potter's thinking regarding the future, that may rule Chelsea out of the race, but there is scope for a short-term deal to suit all parties ahead of more discussions taking place in the summer.
The 28-year-old has played no football for Barcelona since September 17 and club officials are unlikely to stand in his way if a departure becomes a possibility.
MARCUS THURAM
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Having paid just €12m to sign Marcus Thuram in 2019, Borussia Monchengladbach have already got value for money out of the attacker, who remains on duty for France at the World Cup.
The 25-year-old has been an ever-present in the Bundesliga this campaign, contributing 10 goals and three assists, but his contract is due to expire in the summer.
Monchengladbach are already bracing themselves for offers in January, Newcastle United and Manchester United allegedly admirers of the player as they consider January additions of their own.
However, Thuram theoretically fits exactly what Chelsea are looking for in an attacking player at this stage, and he will surely come into their thinking if they fail to progress any negotiations for Moukoko or a different alternative.
Inter Milan are also said to be monitoring the situation, although the Italian outfit may have to consider a sale or two to get a deal for Thuram over the line.
DIVOCK ORIGI
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Admittedly, this is a left-field choice that probably will not happen, but it is surely a deal which would make complete sense for everyone involved.
Since leaving Liverpool to move to AC Milan on a free transfer, Divock Origi has been regarded as no more than third choice down the middle of the attack.
Ten of his 14 appearances have come from the substitutes' bench, he has only contributed a goal or assist in one game, and the Belgium international is unlikely to ever be regarded higher in the pecking order.
However, Chelsea should consider Origi at a time when Milan are reportedly keen on Hakim Ziyech, initially on a loan deal if the Chelsea playmaker is willing to lower his wages.
In theory, a straight swap on a temporary basis would tick every box. Chelsea get extra strength in depth in attack while saving money on wages, whereas Ziyech is provided with more first-team football at a club who would hold him in higher regard than he is viewed at Stamford Bridge.
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