- 4 hours ago
Revealed: Chelsea’s plans for Armando Broja
Cameron Smith
- 8 Nov 2022 11:34 GMT
- 3 min read
Albania star Armando Broja is expected to be given an improved role in the Chelsea first team in 2023 after struggling to break into the side since returning from his loan spell at Southampton.
Broja, 21, scored six Premier League goals on loan at the St Mary's Stadium last term, which prompted Chelsea to reject permanent offers from multiple top flight clubs.
Furthermore, he put pen to paper on a new long-term deal at Chelsea in September, keeping him contracted at the club until 2028.
However, he's yet to nail down a spot in the Blues starting XI this campaign. Germany international Kai Havertz was favoured through the middle in the early weeks of the season by Thomas Tuchel, while new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has immediately become first-choice upon arriving from Barcelona.
As a result, Broja has started just one game in all competitions during the 2022/23 campaign - a 0-0 draw against Brentford. In total he's racked up 11 appearances, contributing one goal and one assist, but it's evident that he's not yet stamped his mark at Stamford Bridge.
Considering new boss Graham Potter has shown his faith in Trevoh Chalobah, while giving minutes to Carney Chukwuemeka off the bench, Broja's lack of involvement under the former Brighton manager may come as a surprise, but according to Fabrizio Romano this could change soon.
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What has been said?
Romano believes that Broja could be set for far more responsibility in the second half of the season and moving forward.
He said: "I'm sure Broja is part of the Chelsea project as they strongly wanted to keep him and sign new long-term deal in September.
"There are no talks for potential loan, as of today; I think in 2023 the situation will be way more clear as he needs to play to improve."
The aforementioned Aubameyang and Havertz, along with Raheem Sterling, have struggled to find form in recent games, leading to calls for Broja to be given a chance.
And, it seems as though Potter may be repeating a trick he frequently used at Brighton - slowly integrate youngsters into the side before giving them an important role in the side. This was seen with Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez and Alexis Mac Allister on the south coast, and could happen again with Broja.
