Following their crushing at the hands of Liverpool, Chelsea has determined that one of their attackers is surplus to needs.
Wednesday’s humiliating 4-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield was Mauricio Pochettino’s team’s ninth Premier League loss of the year, and it dropped them 12 points outside the top four.
Chelsea had a mountain to climb in the second half, but 22-year-old striker Armando Broja was not deployed as a replacement on the night.
Over the last two transfer windows, Chelsea has rejected several loan proposals for the Albanian international, including one from Wolves in January, because they desired to sell the striker or approve a loan with a purchase obligation.
The Athletic claims that Chelsea has changed their mind on deadline day and is now open to accepting a simple loan transfer—as long as it includes a sizable payment and promises of playing time. It is said that Fulham and Wolves are both interested in the player.
Broja was on the bench when Christopher Nkunku gave the Blues a late lead. Due to injury, the Frenchman has only made four league appearances this season. However, with his return to action and the addition of Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson from the Africa Cup of Nations, Broja is no longer needed.
In 19 appearances in all competitions this season, Broja has two goals and two assists.
According to The Athletic, Broja may yet wind up remaining at Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the season or he may leave the team permanently or on a loan with a purchase obligation.
Should the latter occur, the team will review Broja’s circumstances during the summer. The attacker and Chelsea inked a new deal in September 2022 that would last until 2028.
During his loan at Southampton in 2021–2022, the Chelsea youth graduate made an impression, tallying six goals in 32 Premier League appearances.
In Chelsea’s training, Mauricio Pochettino scolds one of his own players.
Before Chelsea’s Premier League match against Arsenal, manager Mauricio Pochettino was seen nutmegging one of his own players during practice.
On Saturday night, Pochettino’s team took on the Gunners in a London derby with the goal of winning the Premier League for the third time straight.
The Blues were hard at work in training ahead of Saturday’s match, which finished in a 2-2 draw. They had started to click into gear in recent weeks with back-to-back away triumphs at Burnley and Fulham.
Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, and Ben Chilwell are just a few of the players remaining sidelined by lengthy absences that Pochettino is juggling.
Younger players have benefited from this as well; Ian Maatsen, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Alex Matos are just a few who have been given more playing time or matchday squad possibilities.
Young forward Deivid Washington, a summer transfer from Santos, is one youngster who hasn’t made his senior Blues debut.
Despite this, the 18-year-old has played for the U21s, scoring against Manchester City, and has trained with the first team in addition to making multiple substitute appearances for Chelsea.
He was nutmegged by his own manager in training prior to the Arsenal match, which made for an unpleasant moment.
Chelsea’s official website released footage of Pochettino participating in a training. He caught the ball, although at first he couldn’t catch it.
This required some creativity, and the Argentinean did just that by flicking the ball with his back leg through Washington’s legs.
After a brief moment of celebration, he gave the Brazilian striker a swift pat on the back as the session went on.
The behind-the-scenes video also included Pochettino mingling with the other players while they worked out in the indoor training facility. Those participating in the more strenuous workouts were Armando Broja, Thiago Silva, and Cole Palmer.
