Armando Broja seizes his opportunity as slow-burning Chelsea ease past Preston

Nobody should interpret one fine goal against limited Championship opposition as proof that Armando Broja has a place in Chelsea’s great rebuild. When the talk turns to the club’s financial fair play position, it is always pointed out that money received for academy products goes down as pure profit. Accountancy matters and Chelsea are still thinking about sharpening their attack with a new striker this month.

But supporters want to see homegrown talents thrive, even after a splurge of more than £1bn in the transfer market. Conor Gallagher, another whose future is up in the air, was given a hero’s reception when he came on towards the end of this 4-0 win over Preston North End. It makes sense to have Mauricio Pochettino developing all these young talents. It was interesting to hear Chelsea’s manager say Broja has to smile more after the forward scored his second goal of a stop-start campaign. Continue reading...