CHELSEA are set for a pre-season boost that could save them millions in the transfer market.
That’s with crocked Armando Broja reportedly eyeing a return in time for Mauricio Pochettino’s first training session.
Armando Broja hopes to return for Chelsea’s pre-season after recovering from a knee injury
The striker, 21, has not kicked a ball since December after suffering a knee injury.
Broja picked up an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in a mid-season friendly against Aston Villa.
And he was ruled out for the remainder of the season after going under the knife.
However, Football London claims Broja’s Chelsea return is imminent.
The hitman is keen to make an impression under new boss Pochettino.
And he is targeting the start of pre-season to make his injury comeback.
Broja has one goal in 19 games for Chelsea after working his way up through the academy.
Pochettino is keen to sign a world-class striker as he bids to bring Champions League football back to Stamford Bridge.
But Broja could provide a free option for a secondary forward.
Romelu Lukaku wants to continue at Inter Milan once his loan spell ends.
Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to depart.
And Broja’s presence could see Chelsea avoid needing to dip into the market for a back-up striker.
Reflecting on his injury setback in April, the Albania international said: “I still haven’t got my head fully around it.
“It does play on your mind. It was a big shock because I have always been quite a healthy lad, and have had just had a few minor injuries here and there.
“It was an even bigger shock to my mum and dad, because they have so rarely seen me injured.
“After surgery, I was bedridden for about two weeks. It was one of the worst times of my life. It was horrible. I couldn’t get out of bed.
“My mum was running round the house to get me tablets and give me my food. It was a struggle. You almost feel useless. You want to be able to do stuff, but you just can’t.
“I couldn’t sleep. I was in pain. The day and what happened played on my mind constantly. I was thinking about ways I could have avoided it, even though that wasn’t a good thing to do.
“I had to take a step back from that. It was something I had to move past, start just focusing on getting back fit. As they say, the comeback is going to be better than the setback.”
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football
