Chelsea Transfer News: Odds on THREE big names following Broja out the door
According to reports on Tuesday, Ipswich Town have agreed a deal with Chelsea for Armando Broja, which will see the striker join on an initial season-long loan.
Should the Premier League new boys avoid relegation this season, they will then be obligated to purchase Broja permanently for around £30 million.
The 22-year-old Cobham graduate has struggled to make his mark at the Blues, particularly in the first-team set-up, but the chance to now play regularly for a newly-promoted side could help get his promising career back on track.
Armando Broja stats: Can he rediscover best form at Ipswich?
Broja looked set to cement himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting strikers in 2022, following a hugely encouraging season on loan with Southampton, in which he netted eight goals in all competitions.
That campaign followed a 10-goal season in the Netherlands with Eredivisie side Vitesse, and in the summer of 2022 Broja was linked with big money moves to the likes of West Ham, Wolves and Everton.
Instead, the Albania international stayed at Chelsea, hopeful of breaking into Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI, but an ACL injury that winter put paid to those ambitions. After recovering from that setback, Broja struggled for playing time once more in the first half of the 2023/24 season, before eventually completing a loan move to Fulham in January.
The 6ft 2in forward failed to even make one Premier League start under Marco Silva, providing one assist from his eight substitute appearances. Given his injury troubles and lack of consistent playing time, the next move for Broja was always going to be pivotal.
Under Kieran McKenna, a coach renowned for promoting and getting the best from exciting young players - like former Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson - Broja appears best placed to reignite his stalling career and, potentially, net £30 million of pure profit for the Blues.
Which other players could depart Chelsea this summer?
With Broja following the likes of Conor Gallagher, Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall and Alfie Gilchrist out of the exit door at Chelsea this summer, who else looks set to leave the club before next week’s transfer deadline?
England international Raheem Sterling was left out of the matchday squad for Chelsea’s Premier League opener on Sunday, making his feelings known through a statement released by his representatives only minutes later.
The former Manchester City man is ‘seeking clarity’ over his situation at the club, and has reportedly attracted interest from Italian giants Juventus.
Sterling is best price 2/1 with Paddy Power, via oddschecker, to make the move to Serie A before the end of the window.
🏴 Raheem Sterling's statistically calculated WhoScored characteristics
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 18, 2024
✅ Strengths
🟢 Direct free-kicks
🟢 Dribbling
🟢 Long shots
❌ Weaknesses
🔴 Aerial duels
🔴 Crossing
🔴 Defensive contribution pic.twitter.com/Ui8EygmbG5
Another big name still presently on the books at Stamford Bridge is Romelu Lukaku, who has flirted with a move to Napoli throughout the transfer window thus far.
Lukaku is evidently outside of Enzo Maresca’s plans this season, and is said to be training away from the first-team group.
The Belgium international’s return to Italy is viewed as a matter of when, not if, and you can back him to make the move to Napoli at best price 1/7 with Sky Bet, via oddschecker.
England full-back Ben Chilwell may have expected to be a part of Maresca’s plans for the season, given his status as the club’s vice-captain, but the 27-year-old played just 64 minutes in pre-season and looks primed to depart, whether on loan or permanently.
Premier League rivals Manchester United are the bookies’ favourite to sign Chilwell before the transfer deadline, at best price 7/4 with Paddy Power, via oddschecker.
All odds are as of 11:00, 21/08/2024.