The Côte d’Ivoire hotshot suffered a knee injury during
Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at Cluj in the Champions League and the club
have confirmed that he will be out for about six
weeks.
While in theory he is expected to be back before the winter
transfer market, there is a possibility that he could take longer
to return to full match fitness and sharpness and even then, there
is a likelihood of a relapse.
With Nicolas Anelka in less than impressive form and not
particularly too happy with his squad status, manager Scolari may
be considering the option of bringing in another top class striker
in the January trade period to boost his frontline.
According to The Times, Sevilla’s Brazilian
hitman Luis Fabiano is reportedly at the top of Big Phil’s
Christmas shopping list and the Stamford Bridge bosses are expected
to free up the necessary funds for the move, especially after
missing out on Robinho in the summer.
Luis Fabiano has a contract that runs until 2011 and his buy-out
clause, as quoted by Spanish sports daily As, is
set at a meagre €30 million (₤24m) but the player himself reserves
the right to 10% of the transfer fee. Money may not be an obstacle
for Chelsea but they will have to negotiate with one of the most
stubborn and inflexible club presidents when it comes to selling
players, José María del Nido.
The 27 year old striker joined Sevilla in 2005 after a dismal
one-year spell at Porto and he has since netted 57 goals in 120
appearances in all competition for the Andalucian outfit.