Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has warned manager that he could well ‘regret’ selling striker Armando Broja, if the Albanian is allowed to secure a transfer away before the end of the summer transfer window.
Broja spent last season on loan at Southampton, scoring nine goals in 38 appearances in all competitions, and has been linked with a move to Premier League clubs including United, , and since the end of the campaign.
The 20-year-old has been on Chelsea’s books since 2009, but has only ever made one first-team appearance for the club, coming on as a substitute for Olivier Giroud in a Premier League win over Everton in March 2020.
An Albanian international with four goals in 14 appearances who was born in Slough, Broja also spent a season on loan with regular Chelsea collaborators Vitesse Arnhem in 2020/21, scoring 11 times in 34 matches.
Now, Johnson says he believes that the Blues shouldn’t sell him unless a big money offer is made.
‘I think, because of the scenario, they’ll regret letting Broja go because they’re not selling him for huge, huge money,’ Johnson explained to .
‘They’re letting a potentially great player go without allowing another club to break the bank. You’re not going to buy a player for the same amount of money for similar or better quality.
‘You might as well keep him and work with what you’ve got. If you’re going to go for a renowned goalscorer now, it’s going to cost X amount of money. You’re not going to get him for £30 million are you? They’re better to work with what they’ve got rather than selling him for relatively cheap.
For Johnson, Broja can be of use to Chelsea in the upcoming campaign, and the potential goals he would score at Stamford Bridge are worth more than the fee a sale would bring in.
‘I’m not totally convinced Broja can become an excellent Premier League goalscorer but he is good in front of goal and he can certainly finish,’ Johnson added.
‘I would just expect him to score plenty of goals with the chances that are going to create. Obviously there is a big question mark, for sure. I’d rather keep him for that question mark then spend £80m – £100m on someone who would also have that question mark.’
Chelsea have already allowed Romelu Lukaku to return to Inter Milan on loan this summer, while England forward Raheem Sterling has been brought in from Manchester City for £45m.
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