Armando Broja has been linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent months, but the Blues are not keen on losing him just yet.
According to a report from Give Me Sport, Armando Broja is highly rated at Chelsea. And Graham Potter is not keen on sanctioning his departure from Stamford Bridge anytime soon.
The talented young striker returned to Chelsea after a successful loan spell with Southampton and was expected to cement his place in the starting lineup. However, the Blues signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona on deadline day in the summer, and Broja has seen his game time cut short.
The young striker has started just once in the Premier League this season and has been linked with a January exit, with Atletico Madrid among the interested clubs.
As per the rumours, the 21-year-old could be loaned out during the January transfer window in order to gain regular first-team football experience.
However, Simon Phillips has ruled out any potential departure. The journalist explained to Give Me Sport that Graham Potter trusts the young striker and believes that Broja could develop into a key player for Chelsea.
Phillips said, “I don’t think a loan move will happen, and I also don’t expect a permanent move to happen because Chelsea now hold all of the power there. If any clubs enquire, I think they would price him out of a move because they rate him highly at the club.”
“They want him to stay. Potter trusts him, not enough to start him regularly yet, but he trusts him to come on and make an impact and make a difference.”
Furthermore, Chelsea are lacking in depth in the attacking department. Apart from Aubameyang and Broja, Potter does not have any natural striker at his disposal. So letting the youngster leave could prove to be a costly mistake for Chelsea.
If Aubameyang picks up an injury, they would have no one to lead the line. Furthermore, the former Arsenal captain has not been at this best this season and is not going to get any better at this age.
Broja is a prodigious talent with a big future ahead of him. It remains to be seen whether Potter is willing to trust him with more game time during the second half of the season. The young striker recently signed a £78k-a-week long-term contract Chelsea, and the Blues are under no pressure to cash in on him yet.