Reports earlier this week made Chelsea prospect Armando Broja the latest player to be linked with a move to Newcastle United. The Northern Echo claim frustrations in the Toon camp are growing over their attempt to sign Hugo Ekitike.
ChronicleLive understands a deal between Newcastle and Reims was close but the 20-year-old wants assurances before penning a long-term deal. The deal is not thought to be dead in the water but the Magpies will be forced to change tack should the saga continue to stall.
One player named as an alternative is Blues forward Broja, who has found first-team opportunities difficult to come by at Stamford Bridge. ChronicleLive has profiled the Chelsea man to analyse what supporters can expect if he becomes Eddie Howe’s third summer signing.
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Background
Born in Slough, England, to Albanian parents, Broja signed schoolboy terms with Tottenham Hotspur before rivals Chelsea poached him a decade ago. The 20-year-old decided to represent his parent’s country, playing for Albania U19s and U21s before earning his first senior cap against Lithuania in 2020.
Speaking to Goal last year, the forward called the decision to snub England “easy” amid Three Lions interest at the junior level. He said: “It is a big decision when you choose your country to play for.
“I went for it because I have Albanian blood in me, I am Albanian, my parents are Albanian so it was an easy decision. I thought I would love to make the people there proud and make my parents proud.”
Southampton signed Broja on loan last season, where he made 33 Premier League appearances. Six goals for the Saints has seen interest generated from Newcastle and West Ham.
Achievements
Despite Chelsea achieving Champions League glory in 2020-21, Broja did not make an appearance as he was on loan to Dutch outfit Vitesse. A career still in its infancy means the 20-year-old has won no major honours but earning 14 international caps at a tender age is a worthy feat. Broja started up front against his country of birth in March last year as England ran away with a comfortable 2-0 win.
Playing Style
A traditional number nine, Broja is not an out-and-out replacement for Ektike in terms of style. The Albanian international is akin to Dominic Calvert Lewin, who has also been linked with a move to Tyneside.
Link-up play is noted as a strong attribute and, despite being a tall striker, Broja is deceptively quick for his size. This was proven last season as five of his six goals for Southampton were bagged on the counter-attack.
While six goals in 33 games may appear average, Broja only played the full 90 minutes three times as Che Adams and Adam Armstrong were preferred options. Not bad for a young striker in his debut top-flight campaign.
Where does he fit in?
Eddie Howe’s preferred 4-3-3 system means Broja would likely arrive as a backup option. Callum Wilson cemented his status as first-choice striker at the backend of 2021-22 and, as of now, the youngster does not have the credentials to displace Newcastle’s number nine.
Chris Wood and Broja would give the Toon boss two target men on the bench - an interesting dynamic given the Premier League’s five-sub rule from next season. Unlike Ektike, the Chelsea man can not play out wide but his link-up play could make him a foil in a two-man attack. The 20-year-old certainly offers more than forgotten man Dwight Gayle, who the Magpies are desperate to get off the wage bill.
A loan deal may be best for all parties as forking out a sizable fee for what is effectively a Chelsea reserve player would be a bold move. Football analytical site transfermarkt.com values Broja at £19.8million and four years remaining on his current deal means the Blues are not desperate to sell.
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