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This summer feels like it will be dominated by free agents. Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembele and Franck Kessie to name just a few. Chelsea themselves have helped contribute to this growing list with Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen still on course to depart Stamford Bridge for nothing.
The latest name that has emerged to spark the interest of Europe’s top clubs is Paulo Dybala. The Juventus forward is set to leave Turin this summer after spending seven years with the Italian giants. It has even been suggested Chelsea could come calling after their ongoing ownership situation is resolved and sanctions are lifted.
But with all the apparent hype Dybala’s signature could bring, the west London club already have shrewder attacking alternatives to the 28-year-old.
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The name of Armando Broja is one that has not only become familiar to Chelsea fans unaware of the Cobham graduate’s talent, but across the Premier League during his successful loan spell on the south coast with Southampton. With nine goals to his name so far this term – six coming in the Premier League – many fellow top tier sides have been linked with the Albanian.
Given Chelsea’s wide exodus of young talent last summer and the very recent record-breaking arrival of Romelu Lukaku, the prospect of Broja returning and quickly gaining favour under Thomas Tuchel may seem far-fetched.
You throw in the recent form of Kai Havertz who has jumped above Lukaku in the pecking order, that task becomes trickier. However, it would also be foolish for Chelsea in such a time of uncertainty to dispense with a growing talent like Broja so flippantly.
In his debut season in England’s top flight, the 20-year-old has raised eyebrows with his performances, imposing himself in some of the league’s biggest stadiums. Showing a level of maturity and physicality that appears well suited to the demands of the league. And the nature of some of his finishes for Southampton has led to flattering comparisons to Chelsea’s last great marksmen, Diego Costa.
For greater signs of his growing reputation, you needn’t look much further than Broja’s current coach Ralph Hasenhuttl, who has struggled to hide his wish for a permanent deal this summer to keep the forward with the Saints.
“We’ll find out what they want, what Chelsea want. He likes it here, he enjoys it here. These are all reasons why he is developing,” Hasenhuttl said.
“We must find the right decision for the boy, if it suits the club then that is even better.”
And even closer rivals like Arsenal have reportedly shown an interest in him too, sensing an opportunity to strike on Chelsea’s recent chaos as Mikel Arteta continues to build his youthful squad in hope of Champions League qualification.
None of us can predict what the future for Chelsea holds in the transfer window. How would new owners look to invest? Would they plough millions in to state their intent? Or would they begin a process that tightens the purse strings?
Dybala has been a brilliant talent but he feels like a bit of a luxury, when focusing on the long-term with names like Havertz and Broja feels like the smarter play.
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