It is always a shame when it does not work out for a promising academy graduate at a football club. And while it is sad, there, unfortunately, is no room for sentiment at the elite level of football and that is the case for Chelsea right now.
Armando Broja is a popular figure amongst supporters, especially those who pay more attention to the Development Squad and the younger age groups at Cobham. So it was a really happy day for everyone involved when the 22-year-old came on for an 11-minute cameo in the defeat to Aston Villa in September as he made his first competitive appearance since he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the end of 2022.
Broja scored his first goal since his return in the 2-0 win away at Fulham in the Premier League in October – a significant day for the Albania international who had waited so long for that specific moment. Unfortunately for Broja, though, those goals have been few and far between.
His second goal of the season came in the 4-0 win against Preston North End earlier this month. And while he has been giving his all for Chelsea in terms of his movement and running out of possession, he has not offered the team what they need to seriously compete in the Premier League.
Now, more than midway through the January transfer window, some Premier League clubs are sniffing around Broja. In fact, there is mass interest in the Slough-born Albania striker, with West Ham United and other unnamed Premier League clubs enquiring about his availability, football.london understands.
Chelsea are willing to let Broja leave this month and would favour a permanent deal. The club are seeking a fee in the region of £50million for the centre-forward but would prefer to sign another striker beforehand.
Chelsea
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