"It wouldn't be a surprise if something we know the two clubs are currently discussing goes on to happen." Right, as you were.
I agree, but maybe the smoke at the moment is just the smoulder of hope, before the fire erupts totally. Or knowing us is extinguished.
This is Simon Johnson's article (he's the Athletic's Chelsea correspondent). Play a bit for Chelsea or thrive elsewhere: Armando Broja’s future is complicated please log in to view this image By Simon Johnson 4h ago please log in to view this image 36 please log in to view this image The timing couldn’t be much worse. As Chelsea’s expensively-assembled attack continue to labour, Southamptonhave opened talks with them over a permanent deal for striker Armando Broja. The 20-year-old joined on a season-long loan in August but Southampton have already seen enough to make him part of their plans for the long term. It has given Chelsea a major dilemma. You could say neither outcome is ideal, but like any choice, there will be consequences either way. Broja is arguably Chelsea’s most in-form forward and yet he is not even playing for them. The Albania international has scored five Premier League goals this season, which is the same amount as Romelu Lukaku and is more than Kai Havertz (two) and Timo Werner (one) combined. In all competitions, the record reads: Broja with seven in 20 appearances, Lukaku with eight in 23, Werner six in 19 and Havertz five in 25 games. Broja’s numbers at Southampton can be considered more impressive than the Chelsea trio anyway, given he plays for a side lower down the table, without the wealth of creative talent to make chances or tendency to dominate possession. Instead of listening to offers, you could make a very strong case for finding a way to end his loan early and start using him at Chelsea instead. Thomas Tuchel’s side, who have won just one of their last seven league games, sure could do with the help. So why would the club even consider a bid? Southampton are able to give Broja something Chelsea can’t right now and that is regular first-team football. As part of negotiations, they can offer a buy-back clause, just like the one they included in the £5 million transfer of another Cobham academy graduate — Valentino Livramento — last summer. please log in to view this image Broja’s form has been impressive (Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) On paper it looks a good proposition. Broja gets the chance to develop further at the highest level under less pressure than he would be at Stamford Bridge and, if he continues to excel, Chelsea have the option to bring him back again, albeit at a much bigger price. The Livramento agreement is an indication of what numbers might be in the offing. It will cost Chelsea £38 million (the release clause is worth £50 million, but the deduction takes into account a sell-on clause Chelsea also have) to re-sign the right-back from Southampton. You could say that is already looking like a bargain given how well he is playing. Others will understandably question how it makes good business sense to spend so much on a player who used to be on the books and was sold for such a low fee. Of course, another loan is a possibility. To sell Broja now will spark anger among the fanbase who have seen a lot of young talent already depart to help balance the books and fund expensive internationals who are struggling to prove value for money. On top of Livramento, Tammy Abraham (£34 million), Fikayo Tomori (£25 million with potential add-ons increasing it to £30 million) and Marc Guehi(£20 million) all left in the last window. More inexperienced players Ike Ugbo, Lewis Bate, Dynel Simeu and Myles Peart-Harris raised another £9.7 million. All of those departures primarily funded the club-record acquisition of Lukaku for £97.5 million. Due to a combination of their ability, plus relatively low fees and wages, these kinds of players are easier for Chelsea to cash in on than senior squad members who cost them significantly more and are on much bigger salaries. To use a couple of examples — Chelsea have been open to offers for Ross Barkley (signed for £15 million and being paid £120,000 a week) and Danny Drinkwater (spending the last year of his contract on loan at Reading, bought for £35 million and paid in excess of £100,000 a week) for some time. But no one has been prepared to meet the asking price, let alone salaries, for two underperforming players so the club have been stuck with them. In fairness to Chelsea, they didn’t want to sell all the youngsters listed above. Some, like Livramento, rejected the offer of a new deal because they could not see a pathway into the first team. One of the people blocking his chance of progress was another academy talent in Reece James. However, Broja had a different mindset. He signed a new five-year contract in July despite the obvious challenges because he still had ambitions of making it at Chelsea. That is still the case, but getting game time at Southampton is obviously appealing too. It’s understandable if he’s feeling a little torn. After finding the net against Brentford last week, Broja told the Daily Echo: “Of course there’s a bit of sending a message to Chelsea a little bit, it’s my parent club, to the coach and everyone. But it’s just an honour to have these opportunities (with Southampton) and I’m thankful for that every day. “Of course you know that you need to send messages to everywhere. That’s just me, but I’m just focusing on myself and I’m not too fussed on what other players from other clubs are doing. It’s obviously good to be level with some big names and it’s an honour, but it’s just about focusing on myself and trying to keep pushing forward.” Many Chelsea supporters will demand Broja doesn’t go anywhere and should be considered for a squad role for next season. He certainly deserves the opportunity, but how many minutes will he realistically play, especially compared to what Southampton can offer? Keeping him just to make the odd appearances could actually do more harm than good, whereas he will develop at a faster rate at St Mary’s. Chelsea have spent more than £205 million on Lukaku, Havertz and Werner, with their wages worth in excess of £45 million a year combined. Coach Thomas Tuchel will be under more pressure to make these acquisitions come good over Broja. Even if Chelsea decide at some point that it hasn’t worked out and want one to go to make room for Broja, it is easier said than done. The club will expect the transfer fee to match what they paid. This is some ask when you consider Lukaku cost £97.5 million, Havertz up to £90 million (depending on add-ons) and Werner £45 million. The players are going to take some convincing too due to their pay packets which range between £270,000 a week to £340,000 a week. There are only a select group of teams in the world who can provide the same. Tuchel is liking what he is seeing from Broja but will want to see him again in pre-season before making any decisions over any possible role. His comments in a news conference last week certainly didn’t sound like a man who is ready to select Broja over one of the established names. Chelsea’s head coach said: “He’s our player and he’s doing good. But, at the same time, it’s only half a season and he needs to continue to improve and to make his statement at Southampton. We have a reason why they’re our players. They have quality and the right mentality, and now they’re there on their own in different environments, different clubs, and proving themselves. Armando is getting better and better. He is a unique player with unique strengths to his game: he’s quick and he’s robust. And a goalscorer. It’s a moment for him to stay calm and keep on improving.” In contrast, his counterpart at Southampton, Ralph Hassenhuttl is already convinced. He has also claimed Broja’s family are very keen for Armando to stay at Southampton. Such influence can’t be underestimated. Yet, should Broja go, what message will that send out to Chelsea’s other exciting youngsters who are currently on loan, such as Conor Gallagher, Levi Colwell and Billy Gilmour or ones who have their debuts for the first team this season — Harvey Vale, Lewis Hall and Jude Soonsup-Bell? In saying that, Chelsea fans can’t have it both ways either. Many will be demanding the club go on another spending spree in the summer with Jules Kounde, Declan Rice and Aurelien Tchouameni on the club’s wishlist. They will cost a fortune and after reporting a loss in their latest financial results of £145.6 million, the money to strengthen the squad can’t just come from owner Roman Abramovich’s deep pockets. There is Financial Fair Play to consider, so people will have to be sold. Broja provides an early opportunity to get some funds in the bank. Emotions surrounding Broja’s situation are running high. But it is a complex situation and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ends up signing another deal with Southampton — this time with a transfer fee involved. (Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
There is so much sense in this article that many Chelsea fans don’t get The really key part is the expectation of Tuchel to get a tune out of the three very expensive forwards they already have. You can argue that he was only really brought in because they thought he might be able to get something more out of the German pair. He wasn’t pulling up trees at his previous club And he isn’t succeeding so far. Partly because of his insistence of playing 7 primarily defensive players in every game often with Mount who isn’t the post attacking of “forward” players . So the claims of Broja being able to get more in that team are curious. I saw a comment the other day suggesting Chelsea were far more likely to sack Tuchel than sell Lukaku and it is a sentiment I agree with. Not least because no one will give them anything close to that fee or him those wages. The Germans might go to Bayern but not Havertz at that fee and probably not Werner at his wages
Tuchel is an excellent manager, with a slightly unfortunate history of falling out with owners after excellent starts (like a young Mourinho). He wasn't pulling up trees at his previous club, because his previous club was PSG, and they're mental. Don't make the mistake of believing he's not an elite level manager though, because he is. There's a problem at Chelsea at the moment, for sure, and hopefully they'll try and fix that problem without bringing Armando back as the possible solution. That's our best hope - Chelsea's ego.
I didn’t say he wasn’t an elite level manager. But he has still failed to get a tune out of some very expensive forwards and doesn’t seem to have shown any intention of changing his system to get the best out of them - seemingly any of them Good chance Lukaku was signed over his head. But they surely have the squad to play to his strengths? He just needs to arrange it as such Now I can’t say I know what that is but I know if I was being paid millions of pounds a year to solve it then I would have a better idea (than I currently do now I mean, no comment on Tuchel). Is it proper wingers to play crosses? Perhaps not as they have attacking wing backs? But with both first choices injured maybe he need to replace them with people up the pitch. Or is it a partner for him to actually play off. I can see no reason why a proper front two with Werner wouldn’t work other than he doesn’t get enough defensive players in the side that way. But I don’t watch Chelsea closely enough to know the exact problem And I stand by the opinion that they would sack him first. They sacked Conte who was an elite level manager.
Don’t forget that all his players are exhausted and can’t be expected to play 2 games in a week. It’s just too much for them and they cannot be expected to perform to such a high standard …..
The simple truth is Broja isn’t ready for Chelsea yet. As good as he has been, he still isn’t a CL level striker yet. A move to us with a buy back makes total sense for all parties. Unfortunately Chelsea never care about their young players and would happily see broja’s career fizzle out. It also depends if he chooses big money over football.
Seeing as we’re chatting to Chelsea all the time may aswell see if they’d be willing to give us Hudson-Odoi
