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He’s Totally something else, and absolutely complete package for Everton as an IDEAL deal, i followed him sine I was 17 “- Everton told have make a signing who’s complete package
Everton supporters are eagerly awaiting the chance to see Armando Broja in action.
The striker joined the Toffees on loan from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, but an Achilles injury delayed his debut. While Broja has yet to play, Everton manager Sean Dyche and his team have been cautious with his recovery. During the international break, Broja increased his training intensity at Finch Farm, and he is expected to be ready for action soon. This comes as positive news for Everton, who are currently 16th in the Premier League with just 10 goals scored this season.
To learn more about Broja, we spoke with Albanian football expert Redian Ara, who runs the popular Twitter account @ALBfootball. Ara has been following Broja’s career closely since his youth days.
How long have you been tracking Armando Broja’s career?
“I’ve been following Broja for at least five years, ever since his time with the Albania U-17s and Chelsea U-18s. There were whispers about a player who was 2 meters tall, quick, strong, and had exceptional ball control and dribbling. I had to see it for myself, and from the very first moment, I knew he was something special. I’ve been watching him closely ever since.”
What was Broja like in Chelsea’s academy?
“Chelsea’s academy is one of the best in the world, and Broja was part of a ‘Golden Generation’ alongside players like Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Despite the talent around him, Broja consistently stood out as one of the key players. I remember messaging him on Instagram, praising him for scoring or assisting in almost every game. He was highly regarded by the coaches, and his performances spoke for themselves.”
What did you think of his loan spells at Vitesse and Southampton?
“Broja’s debut for Chelsea was against Everton, where he immediately showed his potential by dribbling past Mason Holgate. His loan at Vitesse was a success—he formed a strong partnership with Lois Openda, now at RB Leipzig, scoring 10 goals, including a crucial one in the Dutch Cup semi-finals. At Southampton, he initially struggled for minutes, but after scoring for Albania during the international break, he earned a starting spot. He scored goals against Leeds, West Ham, and Brentford, and his overall play was impressive. It was clear Chelsea wanted to keep him after those successful loans.”
Everton were interested in Broja in the summer of 2022. Why did he stay at Chelsea, and what happened during his subsequent loan at Fulham?
“Broja received a new contract at Chelsea, but opportunities were limited. He was hoping for a chance to prove himself during the World Cup break, but in a friendly against Aston Villa, he suffered a serious ACL injury. After recovering, Chelsea planned to sell him, but no offers matched their asking price. Broja moved to Fulham on loan, but it didn’t work out. Fulham didn’t seem committed to making him a starter, preferring to rely on injured Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz. Broja struggled to make an impact, and his confidence suffered.”
Why did Broja’s move to Everton come at the last minute?
“It was a chaotic transfer window. Chelsea had been looking to sell Broja, but after the appointment of new coach Enzo Maresca, Broja, a big Chelsea fan, tried to impress him during pre-season. Unfortunately, an injury set back his plans, and a move to Ipswich fell through. Just as things looked uncertain, Everton stepped in at the last moment and secured him on loan.”
What can Broja bring to Everton?
“Broja’s main strengths are his pace, power, and physicality. He’s tall, fast, and strong, and his dribbling might be his best asset. When he gets going, it’s tough to stop him. His shooting is also impressive—he once scored for Albania against Hungary from a very tight angle. He’s a complete striker but needs to prove his consistency.”
Can Broja play as a lone striker for Everton?
“Some of his weaknesses include his positioning around the box and his ability to play with his back to goal. Despite his finishing ability, he hasn’t scored as much as expected. His movement in the box is an area for improvement. However, I believe Broja will thrive on Everton’s counter-attacks. He’s great at creating chances on his own and could easily beat defenders with his dribbling and pace. If Everton play with a target man, Broja would complement Dominic Calvert-Lewin well.”
Broja’s arrival at Everton brings much-needed attacking potential, and if he can stay fit and find his rhythm, he could make a significant impact in the second half of the season.
