Former Chelsea and new Everton manager Frank Lampard has told Arsenal why they should sign Blues striker Armando Broja, amid links with a move for the youngster.
The 20-year-old has impressed in his loan spell at Southampton so far this season, scoring six goals and assisting once in just 12 starts in the Premier League for the Saints.
Such is his form this season, the Gunners have now been linked with a potential move in the summer as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his attacking options.
The Spaniard is set to be without a senior striker at his disposal, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang already leaving permanently in January, whilst Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both set to leave as free agents in the summer.
Arteta may be able to call upon academy prospect Folarin Balogun when he returns from his loan spell at Championship side Middlesbrough, where he is already impressing, but it seems clear another striker is needed to challenge the higher ends of the table.
That is where a move for Broja comes in, with the potential to sign the Chelsea man when he returns from his Southampton loan in the summer.
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has been heaping praise on the 20-year-old after a number of recent impressive performances.
The manager said: “He’s a great threat. He has not had many poor games this season and today he showed again how dangerous he can be for the opponent and he’s very helpful for our game.”
And now, new Everton boss Lampard has had his say on the youngster. The former Chelsea midfielder and manager handed Broja his debut in 2020, coming from the bench in a 4-0 win over the Toffees.
In his pre-match press conference, Lampard discussed the strengths of the young forward, saying: “I gave him his debut at Chelsea. He’s a good lad, a very talented young boy.
“He came to us at the start of the Covid times and trained with us and is showing his attributes with Southampton now.
“Fast, strong. Has a real eye for goal. A very, very good player. I’m very aware of his strength.”
The youngster adds a threat as a complete striker, causing problems in deeper areas, while also having the strength and pace to turn a defender.
While moves between London rivals have not been awfully popular, the case of Broja could prove to be different in a time where Arsenal need a striker in the summer.
