Chelsea confirmed on deadline day that Armando Broja has joined Fulham on loan until the end of the campaign. The 22-year-old has made 19 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring two goals with two assists.
Broja has spent much of 2023/24 on the sidelines due to a ligament tear, however, hampering his fitness and form. He’s not scored in the Premier League since October, so it’s easy to see why Chelsea parted company.
Broja isn’t good enough
Broja joined Chelsea from Tottenham Hotspur in 2009 and has gone on to make 38 appearances across the board. The 22-year-old has scored only three goals with three assists, so he’s fallen short of expectations. Chelsea wished Broja luck at Fulham, but the reality is that he isn’t good enough to stay.
Broja rose through the youth ranks to the first-team but was loaned out before making a senior appearance for Chelsea. He spent 2020/21 with Vitesse Arnhem (11 goals in 34 games) and 2021/22 with Southampton (9 goals in 38 games).
The Albanian international hasn’t found any form in a Chelsea shirt, however, so his days in West London are numbered. Broja has four years remaining on his deal, but it’s hard to see him still on the books in 2028.
Will Chelsea regret not signing a striker replacement?
Few could blame Chelsea for wanting Broja off the books, but a loan move doesn’t really fix the problem. The 22-year-old is still a Chelsea player but can’t be selected, and he wasn’t replaced in the transfer market.
Todd Boehly wants to stay in line with Financial Fair Play, so he’s sanctioning the departures of outcasts. Broja’s temporary exit hasn’t brought in any money, however, so was it worth losing a squad player?
Mauricio Pochettino is now left with Nicolas Jackson as Chelsea’s only natural centre-forward, so they’re relying on his fitness. Christopher Nkunku and Raheem Sterling can operate in the makeshift role, but Chelsea did want to sign an alternative.
In other news, Chelsea lost another away game when they travelled to Anfield on Wednesday evening
