https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/
broja-on-being-ready-to-help-and-competing-with-aubameyang
Broja on being ready to help and competing with Aubameyang
08 Sep 2022
The end of the transfer window may have brought a close to our summer
trading but it did not stop the club from doing more smart business in the
days that have followed the deadline, with new long-term contracts swiftly
signed by Chelsea Academy graduates Armando Broja and Reece James.
https://i.imgur.com/Mq9i7ck.jpg
For Broja, a new six-year deal followed a summer of simmering speculation
about his future and acted as a signal, from both club and player, that
paths are aligned when it comes to the young forward's future.
The 20-year-old has made five substitute appearances already this term
and, while he awaits a first start for the Blues, a Champions League debut
and frequent match action are signs of progress being made.
'However long it is, I try to give my all to the team, the club and the
fans,' Broja says. 'Every time I do come on the pitch, I just focus on how
I can help. If I can score, get an assist or just use my work-rate to hunt
the ball down, I want to help the team as much as possible.
https://i.imgur.com/xUif3tM.jpg
'I've always been a confident boy so it's important for me to keep that
and remain confident. I feel like I can help the team a lot so I'll keep
doing my best on and off the pitch in every way I can.'
The new substitution rule permitting five changes in the Premier League
has increased the possibility of involvement for players like Broja, who
are pushing to establish themselves as regulars in the team. He believes
the secret to success off the bench is to always expect the call and to be
ready to make an impact regardless of the match situation.
'You know if you're on the bench that you now have more opportunities so
everybody is preparing themselves mentally and physically to come on,' he
explained.
https://i.imgur.com/kwiqn7n.jpg
Broja made his first appearance of the season at Everton
'That can happen at any point, whether it's in the last minute or
half-time, whenever you're needed depending on how the game is going. It's
about being ready, expecting it and staying focused.'
The Albanian international enjoyed a productive Premier League campaign on
loan at Southampton last term. However, despite the talk of there being
other suitors for his services this summer, his mind was set on breaking
through at the Bridge, a dream he has harboured for many years and which
feels almost within his grasp.
'I was just focusing on myself and trying to get fit because I did injure
myself a little bit in America,' he said of pre-season. 'You see the
speculation but my full focus was always to be here and focus on Chelsea.
'This is one of the best clubs in the world and there's no better feeling
to be playing for my boyhood club, the club I've supported my whole life.
https://i.imgur.com/LjhnPU8.jpg
Two months after his 18th birthday, Broja notched a hat-trick in an FA
Youth Cup win over Huddersfield.
'Everywhere you go in football, there's competition and that's just
normal. For me, it's just about being focused, keeping my head down and
working hard. Hopefully that leads to many more opportunities but I'm
thankful for those I've had so far.
'Chelsea have put their faith in me since I was a young player. They've
always taught me to be resilient and a hard worker and always focus on
football. Chelsea have taught me a lot, how to be a man and a good person,
so I just want to repay their faith in me with my performances on the
pitch, by scoring goals and winning matches. We trust each other and
that's the bond you have. It's like a family.'
While Broja was not among the movers this summer, the deadline day arrival
of Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang has added to the striking options, yet there
is nothing but positivity in the forward's assessment of the situation as
he views the new signing as a source of inspiration rather than a rival
for minutes.
'He's a great player who has done a lot in his career so far and now he's
come to Chelsea I can learn a lot from him,' he added on Aubameyang. 'He's
done it at Arsenal and at Barcelona so he's a good addition and he seems
like a very good guy.
https://i.imgur.com/DqdIYfO.jpg
Aubameyang joined Chelsea on transfer deadline day
'I'm excited to learn from him and a few things he has learned over the
years. It's always good to have that competition in the team.'