Chelsea striker Armando Broja is set to be given a starting role under Graham Potter after impressing in training, according to reports.
The 21-year-old was convinced by Chelsea to sign a new long-term contract at Stamford Bridge this summer despite speculation over his future and heavy interest from other clubs, including West Ham.
On signing a new six-year contract, he admitted earlier this month: "I’m lost for words really just thinking about it. It’s the club I’ve dreamed of playing for my whole life, the club that I support and the club that I love.
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"I’ve been here since I was a boy so it’s a surreal feeling for me and my family.
"To be able to put on the blue shirt with the first team is a dream come true.
"It's amazing every minute that you get to play on the pitch because this is one of the biggest clubs in the world."
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Broja has made six appearances this term so far for Chelsea but has yet to start a game, coming off the bench in all of his cameos.
In Potter’s first game in charge, which came against FC Salzburg and ended in a 1-1 draw in the Champions League last Wednesday, he opted to start Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ahead of the Albania international.
With a new manager comes a clean slate, new hope, opportunity and chances - Broja could be one of those players.
The Sun reports that Broja has made a ‘big impression’ on Potter in training and could be put in the starting XI soon by the 47-year-old as a result.
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Potter is claimed to be raving about Broja’s potential and ability to fit into his system which he hopes to adopt at Chelsea following his move from Brighton.
Broja is currently away with his country on international duty and will return ahead of their Premier League match against Crystal Palace on 1 October.
The forward will be keen to get a run of games in the side in the 13 games Chelsea will play between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United in mid-November before the season pauses for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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Chelsea had a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brighton at the weekend which saw Broja given minutes by Potter as they sealed a 2-1 win down on the south coast at the Amex Stadium.
Potter will work with a select number of players at their Cobham training base during the break, those who haven’t been called up for their respective countries - before welcoming the majority of the squad back next week.
The 47-year-old will be eager to pick up his first win in charge since being appointed as head coach, and Broja will hope he is chosen to help fire Chelsea to glory during a busy period for the Blues.
Topics: Armando Broja, Graham Potter, Chelsea, Football, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Matthew Debono