When Frank Lampard takes his Everton side to the south coast on Saturday in search of three points a familiar face will likely be in the Southampton starting XI.
Armando Broja is on loan to the Saints from Chelsea and has made quite an impact this season, scoring six goals in 12 Premier League starts.
At the age of 18, Broja made his debut for Chelsea under the stewardship of Lampard and the new Everton boss was full of praise for the promising youngster in his pre-match press conference.
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Lampard said: "I gave him his debut at Chelsea. He’s a good lad, a very talented young boy.
“He came to us at the start of the Covid times and trained with us and is showing his attributes with Southampton now.
“Fast, strong. Has a real eye for goal. A very, very good player. I’m very aware of his strength.”
Already and Albanian international, Broja has scored three goals in his last four appearances for the national team.
Arsenal are understood to be keen to acquire his services, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also linked, but he will be Everton's problem to deal with on Saturday when they face Ralph Hasenhuttl's side.
Southampton have become somewhat difficult to beat, with only one defeat since the turn of the year, and recent good results including draws against Manchester City and Manchester United and a 3-2 away win at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Saints are understood to be keen to make Broja's loan deal a permanent one but Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has said that his performances this season will help shape what happens in the summer.
Thuchel said: “He’s our player and he’s doing good, but at the same time it’s only half a season, so he needs to continue to improve and to make his statement at Southampton.
“Armando’s getting better and better, he’s a very unique player with unique strengths in his game - he has speed, he’s robust and he’s a goalscorer."
Regardless of where Broja's future lies, he will be one to watch for Everton on Saturday, as thet look to pull themselves further away from the Premier League relegation zone.
