Armando Broja has just returned from an ACL injury and he is now ready to start again at the age of 21, with AC Milan a chance to do just that.
La Gazzetta dello Sport recall how the Slough-born Broja was spotted early on by Tottenham scouts, moving to Chelsea as an 8-year-old. He has always been a fan of the Blues and came through the youth sector there.
He went out on loan to Vitesse in the Netherlands and then he went to Southampton where he scored nine goals in 38 games and began to really look the part.
Broja remained at Chelsea for the 2022-23 season despite interest from numerous clubs – Milan included. Thomas Tuchel gave him a few minutes, but after Graham Potter’s arrival a few more chances appeared.
It was on 11 December against Aston Villa in a friendly in Abu Dhabi that he ruptured his cruciate ligament and that kept him out for months.
“After the surgery, I’d been in bed for about two weeks. One of the worst moments of my life, horrible. I couldn’t get up,” Broja said.
“My mother was running around the house to get me pills and feed me, it was a struggle. You feel almost useless. You want to do something, but you can’t. I had to take a step back.
“I had to put it behind me and start focusing on my recovery. As they say, the comeback will be better than the setback, now I no longer take anything for granted.”
Chelsea have been the most active club in the transfer window again and that risks leaving Broja with little playing time to fully continue his rehabilitation there, even if Christopher Nkunku suffered a long-term injury.
That’s where Milan come in. They have put him at the top of their list and can offer guaranteed starts and the chance to grow alongside Olivier Giroud, who also moved from Chelsea to the Rossoneri to relaunch his career in its twilight years.
