Ralph Hasenhuttl has commended the learning of Armando Broja over the course of the season, but conceded the Albania international needs to improve his consistency. The 20-year-old striker announced himself to the Premier League this season with some impressive performances while on loan with the Saints from Chelsea, leading to transfer interest from the likes of Arsenal.
The Blues' loanee returns from international duty where he took on Chelsea stars Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta against Spain and another clash against Georgia. He failed to get on the scoresheet against his Blues teammates, but put in an impressive display. While the young forward struggled to start games during his early days at St Mary's, he has gone on to record nine goals in 31 matches including six in the Premier League.
There's a chance his form has earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel's squad next season, with his quality making another worthwhile loan more difficult. His last five Premier League matches have been without a goal, but it does not overshadow the quality he has shown this term. Heading into a clash with Leeds United, Ralph Hasenhuttl reflected on what he has learned over the course this season, after the home match against this weekend's opponents provided a significant moment for Broja.
READ MORE: Ricketts family takeover protest and the five reasons behind it ahead of Chelsea vs Brentford
He said: "I think the biggest change was that he learned what makes him successful. It is not making him successful waiting for one or two actions for 90 minutes and then being there and scoring those - it is more working for 90 minutes and being in several actions and getting the reward for the hard work you have done on the pitch because then you get the reward and then you get the goal and then you get the chances.
"This is what he had to learn. Meanwhile, we see different Brojas - sometimes the one and sometimes the other. This is what he has to learn to deliver consistently. And this is why he is here and why you should take this time here to learn."
Those characteristics will be music to Tuchel's ears if he wondered how Broja may fit into the Blues squad next season. Kai Havertz has confirmed his place in the Chelsea starting XI over Romelu Lukaku because of his all-round game and ability to be involved in all aspects of play, whereas the Belgian has often struggled to integrate himself to Tuchel's system. Working for 90 minutes is crucial to what the German coach demands.
The question of consistency could go a long way in determining Broja's place and things have not worked out quite as smoothly in recent weeks. Hasenhuttl believes that is only natural, however, as the Premier League's teams now have learned more about the Chelsea loanee. The Saints boss has challenged Broja to continue to improve and adapt his game.
He added: "It is part of the way you go. When you come in as a new player and perhaps surprise everybody with the qualities that you have, the Premier League is not stupid, they [other clubs and their players] look at you and they know quickly what your qualities are and they know how to defend.
"So you have to adapt your game and get better, you have to learn to compete, and it is not enough then to concentrate on your strengths or weapons that you have, you have to get rid of your weaknesses and get more complete as a player, and this is for everybody, you don't stop learning as a player until you stop playing. This is what everybody has to do and then the chance to be successful is there."
