Chelsea star Armando Broja firms up exit stance as Pochettino eyes striker spree

Armando Broja is set to stay at Chelsea and fight for his place next season, despite reported interest from West Ham. Blues fans were left unsure of the 21-year-old’s intentions after a string of cryptic social media posts, having missed out on the club’s pre-season tour of the USA.

A wave of new attacking recruits at Stamford Bridge prompted some Chelsea fans to fear the worst regarding Broja’s future. The youngster is a player with massive potential, although the arrivals of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have threatened to complicate his route into Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI.

The Blues are also linked with Montpellier marksman Elye Wahi, which would only increase the competition for minutes up top next season. Recent reports from Italy have indicated that West Ham are closing in on a move for Broja, who may be given greater game time assurances in east London.

However, Express Sport understands that the youngster is intent on staying at Chelsea and earning his place in Pochettino’s plans for the upcoming campaign.

Links between Broja and West Ham have been entirely dismissed at this stage, while the player’s omission from the pre-season squad is solely down to the fact that he is yet to fully recover from the devastating knee injury he suffered in December.

Broja and the Hammers flirted with one another last summer, and the striker was understood to be keen on a move that would secure him regular game time. But Chelsea laid their cards on the table by insisting to keep him and agreeing a six-year deal once the window closed.

Born in Slough, the 6ft 3in frontman joined Chelsea’s academy as a schoolboy and made his senior debut for the club aged 18. Broja has also notched four goals in 17 caps for Albania at international level.

He will hope to make a big impression on Pochettino and hit the ground running once he returns to fitness, having missed more than six months of last season due to a cruciate ligament rupture.