Chelsea youngster Armando Broja has been backed to replace Romelu Lukaku at Stamford Bridge, should that be the Blues’ plan for him.
Broja is currently out on loan with Southampton, having joined Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side in search of regular playing time in the summer.
After a slow start, he’s found that under the Austrian coach, featuring in 45% of Southampton’s starting elevens in the Premier League this season and enjoying just under half of all available minutes in the league as well.
The 20-year-old has taken the opportunity with both hands, currently sitting on five goals and one assists in 18 league games and two goals in two games in the EFL Cup as well.
Southampton are keen to turn his loan deal into a permanent move but failed to reach an agreement with Chelsea when they tried during the January transfer window.
By that point, they could be looking for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, with his move from Inter Milan a failure so far and his relationship with Thomas Tuchel far from perfect.
That could lead to a move away in the summer, and should that happen, Broja’s former teammate Thomas Bruns, who played alongside him with Vitesse, is convinced Broja could replace the Belgian.
“Thirty million I did not expect, but I did expect that he would end up at a good club,” he told Voetbalzone.
“He sees Mason Mount as his example. He also did well at Vitesse and is now a key player at Chelsea.
“No shocking numbers, but apart from those ten goals, he has shown what other qualities he has. I think he can make it to the first team at Chelsea within four years.
“That will also be his goal. They will need a new striker anyway if Lukaku wants to move on in the long run. I think he could do that.”
