Newcastle United are currently fourth in the Premier League table and there is no doubt they will be looking to continue strengthening their team to retain their position in January, with a new update emerging on a potential target.
What’s the latest?
According to reporter Ben Jacobs, Newcastle are interested in signing Armando Broja and are keeping close tabs on his situation at Chelsea in case an opportunity to loan the striker in the new year arises.
Jacobs said:
“Newcastle still monitoring in case a loan (with no option) does become available. But it’s not something Potter or Chelsea are planning for right now even if other attackers come in.”
Chris Wood upgrade
There is no doubt that signing a striker is probably one of the least pressing issues for the recruitment team at St James’ Park, nevertheless, should an opportunity arise to add quality depth that would be an upgrade on what they already have, it would make sense to sign Broja for the second half of the season.
The £50m-valued Albanian striker – who was dubbed a “target man” by former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin – has struggled for game time since returning to Chelsea after a spectacular loan spell with Southampton last season where the young talent scored nine goals over the campaign.
Broja has scored once over 14 appearances so far in all competitions this term, averaging at just 19 minutes per performance, so it probably isn’t fair to judge the striker in 2022/23 given his inability to get a run of form or consistent game time at Stamford Bridge.
When you compare the young striker’s performances over last season to Chris Wood, however, there is no doubt that Broja would be an upgrade when competing alongside either Alexander Isak or Callum Wilson in the centre-forward role.
Broja scored more goals (6 v 5), had a better shot-on-target rate (42.2% v 34%), a better pass completion rate (60.1% v 54.5%), produced more shot-creating actions per 90 (1.73 v 1.47) and successfully completed more dribbles (47.1% v 33.3%) in two fewer league appearances.
Indeed, not only does he possess more than Wood from a target-man point of view, he also has devilish pace that would set him apart from the former Clarets attacker. Indeed, Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell once claimed that the 21-year-old is quicker than Raheem Sterling.
Should Newcastle sign Armando Broja?
Yes
No
With that being said, if the opportunity to sign the Blues frontman does become a possibility, it seems like it would be a no-brainer for Dan Ashworth to add the talented speedster to Howe’s options at Newcastle.
