https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/
broja-reveals-potter-advice-and-thanks-family-and-chelsea-fans-for
Broja interview reveals Potter advice and thanks family and Chelsea fans
for support
19 OCT 2022
Armando Broja's first full season in the senior squad at Chelsea may only
be in its third month, but it has already contained its fair share of
significant moments, including a new contract, a new head coach, and a
maiden goal in the colours of his boyhood Blues.
https://i.imgur.com/cZNByZA.jpg
A few days after the striker put pen to paper on a new six-year contract
at the start of September, Graham Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in the
Stamford Bridge dugout.
It has been a case of so far, so good for the former Brighton coach with
five wins in six and four clean sheets on the bounce. Broja has come off
the bench in all of those games, bar the AC Milan away fixture, and it is
clear to the Albanian international that Potter is having a positive
impact at Cobham.
'He's spoken to all the players individually and got to know us, seen how
we think about things and seen how the person is, their background,'
revealed Broja.
'He said to me the more I could keep working hard in training, learning
from the other players, the more opportunities I would get. He tries to
keep you ambitious and hungry.
https://i.imgur.com/11l4jQl.jpg
Broja and Potter in training
'Any time you need help he's there to help you, or his coaching staff are
there to help you. He wants to develop all the players and help out
everyone.
'It's been really good to have him here, to talk to him. It's been a
really good vibe and we're doing really well at the moment so we just want
to keep that going.'
The undoubted individual highlight for Broja so far this season arrived
earlier this month, late in the comfortable home win against Wolves. He
took a Mateo Kovacic pass in his stride, cut onto his right foot and
buried an emphatic finish into the bottom right-hand corner.
https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1578852739496366080
It's a beauty!
The roof nearly came off Stamford Bridge as the home faithful took extra
delight in one of their own opening his Chelsea account. Broja says having
the backing of the Blues fans has made the transition into the men's first
team squad even easier.
'To see and hear what the fans are saying is unreal,' beamed Broja. 'To
have that support behind you gives me a lot of confidence as a young
player. It gives me ambition to go out there and do well for them, and for
yourself, your family, your team-mates and the manager. I'm so thankful to
them for supporting and hopefully it continues.
https://i.imgur.com/UNWDnB7.jpg
Broja taking it all in under the Stamford Bridge lights
'For me and my family it is incredible to be playing at Stamford Bridge in
front of the fans, and to score a goal for your childhood club is even
better.
'It was incredible. My Instagram said it all – I was lost for words! I
couldn't really believe it. It almost feels like you've achieved
everything at that moment, but it's only the beginning of hopefully an
amazing adventure.'
Broja also reserves extra gratitude for his family. Born in Slough, Broja
credits his mum for driving him everywhere he needed to be football, and
his dad for working hard to provide for the family. They remain his
biggest supporters.
'My mum and dad try to keep me as a humble boy on and off the pitch,' says
Broja.
'I try to implement what they have taught me. It's important to have
family and good people behind you to keep you grounded and level-headed,
and focused on what's in front of you. They are always at the games, they
give me their opinions. Even if I feel like I've had a good game, my dad
will turn around and pick out a couple of negatives from the game because
he always wants me to improve.
https://i.imgur.com/AIYsKp1.jpg
Broja with his parents after signing his new deal last month
'Back in my Academy days I lacked quite a lot of confidence, which was
quite tough,' adds Broja.
'I know the feeling of not having a good season, and not being around the
team as much, and not being involved as much. It's not a nice feeling, but
I've always had my family behind me to keep me positive and keep me going,
and keep my head moving forward. Now it's drilled into me, I always want
to keep that confidence.'