Armando Broja takes advantage of his chance as Chelsea slowly defeat Preston.

One goal against a weaker Championship team does not necessarily guarantee Armando Broja a spot in Chelsea’s rebuilding process. The topic of the club’s financial fair play status often brings up the fact that profits are made from selling academy players. Chelsea is considering adding a new striker this month to improve their offense, taking into account their financial strategy.

However, fans are hoping to witness the success of homegrown players, despite the club spending over £1 billion in the transfer market. Conor Gallagher, whose future is uncertain, received a warm welcome from supporters when he made an appearance towards the end of their 4-0 victory against Preston North End. Having Mauricio Pochettino guide these young talents is a logical decision. It was notable to hear Chelsea’s manager mention that Broja should show more positivity after scoring his second goal in a challenging season.

The upcoming weeks will be a critical time for Broja. When he is in good physical shape and self-assured, the 22-year-old’s talent and strength are undeniable. This is his opportunity to solidify his place at Chelsea. Broja has been striving for stability since recovering from a severe knee injury and now must rise to the occasion while Nicolas Jackson is away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Scoring a header that even Didier Drogba would have been proud of, was a successful beginning in breaking through Preston’s defense. Broja, though still inexperienced and hesitant as a target player, should have ended the game with three goals.

However, according to Pochettino, this was a time for celebration. It was Broja who took the lead when Chelsea, who had a slow start but quickly advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup, were searching for a goal in the beginning of the second half.

Pochettino stated that it was significant for him, but he must utilize this game as an opportunity for improvement. This includes not only his physical condition and work ethic, but also his attitude and demeanor. He should try to be more cheerful and optimistic, as this will enhance his performance.

“We are discussing a promising young striker in England or Europe who has great potential. He must push himself and we will assist him in recognizing his aggressiveness. He experienced a significant injury and requires time to recover. However, our expectations for him are high.”

Pochettino is working hard to raise the expectations at Chelsea. When questioned about Cole Palmer’s assist for Thiago Silva’s header, which brought his total goal contributions to 15 since joining from Manchester City last summer, he expressed some disappointment in Palmer for failing to convert an easy opportunity in the lackluster first half.

Since Chelsea is not participating in European football, they should prioritize the cup competitions this season. As a manager who has not yet won any trophies in English football, Pochettino could not afford to make too many changes in his team. His lineup was still strong, despite Christopher Nkunku being unable to play due to a minor injury.

Preston, who currently holds the 14th spot in the Championship, faced a tough challenge. They began the game with a strong effort and their defensive formation of 3-5-1-1 proved difficult to penetrate initially. According to Ryan Lowe, the manager of Preston, the team put on a fantastic performance. However, he expressed disappointment with the first goal conceded. Despite this, Lowe praised the players for giving their all on the field.

Chelsea were not efficient in the first half. Preston’s goalkeeper, Freddie Woodman, saved two attempts by Raheem Sterling. Enzo Fernández, who needs to improve his goal scoring abilities, failed to score a simple header. The Argentine appeared relieved when he scored the final goal towards the end of the game.

Chelsea had been dominating the story without much excitement. However, a change in attitude in the second half brought more urgency and made a difference. The breakthrough was led by Mykhailo Mudryk, whose determination was evident when he chased down a loose ball on the left and passed it back to Malo Gusto. Gusto then crossed the ball for Broja, who scored a beautiful header past Woodman.

Broja’s energy eased the pressure. Silva scored the second goal after substituting for Alfie Gilchrist, who played his first full game at right-back. Sterling increased the lead with a spectacular free-kick that dipped into the net. Fernández sealed the victory with a close-range finish. Chelsea will be feeling confident as they head to Middlesbrough for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Source: theguardian.com