Chelsea

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Premier League • England

Chelsea star claims he ‘never knew who Tottenham were’ despite two-year stint in north London

Armando Broja Chelsea August 2022

Armando Broja has revealed that he did not know who Tottenham were when they approached the now Chelsea striker and his parents about moving to north London in 2007.

The 21-year-old attacker came through the system at Chelsea from 2009 to 2020. However, it’s not exactly common knowledge that he actually began his career as a youngster at London rivals Spurs.

Broja joined Tottenham’s youth set-up at the age of just six, having previously had trials at Reading and Fulham.

But after a two-year stay in north London, Chelsea snapped up the Slough-born star for their own academy.

The Albania international penned his first pro contract at Stamford Bridge in early 2020. But Broja was then loaned out to Vitesse and Southampton to gain valuable first-team experience.

The attacker is now fighting for starting spot under Graham Potter, having recently signed a new six-year contract.

Some Chelsea fans have actually been calling for Broja to start, especially given Thomas Tuchel’s reluctance to play with a proper No.9.

But speaking about how he came to join Chelsea, Broja delivered a dig to Tottenham in the process.

He told Players Tribune Football: “I was at Burnham Juniors, the club I was first at and I remember going to a tournament.

“The Tottenham scout actually came to watch another boy. I happened to play well that tournament, I got top goalscorer and best player.

“They approached my mum and dad before I even knew about it so when I came back, my mum and dad said; ‘Tottenham came over to us’. I was just thinking, ‘Who’s Tottenham?’.

“Because I was quite young, I only knew my Sunday league team [and Chelsea].”

Broja fighting for Chelsea starting spot

Broja was recently linked with another move away from Stamford Bridge. However, he insists he wants to stay and fight for his place.

Speaking to the club’s website earlier in September, he said: “You see the speculation but my full focus was always to be here and focus on Chelsea.

“This is one of the best clubs in the world and there’s no better feeling to be playing for my boyhood club, the club I’ve supported my whole life.

“Everywhere you go in football, there’s competition and that’s just normal. For me, it’s just about being focused, keeping my head down and working hard. Hopefully that leads to many more opportunities but I’m thankful for those I’ve had so far.”

Broja is also keen to reward Chelsea for the way they have backed him throughout his career.

The striker added: “Chelsea have put their faith in me since I was a young player. They’ve always taught me to be resilient and a hard worker and always focus on football.

“Chelsea have taught me a lot, how to be a man and a good person, so I just want to repay their faith in me with my performances on the pitch, by scoring goals and winning matches.”

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