Graham Potter has praised the patience of Armando Broja after the striker scored his first goal for Chelsea in their 3-0 win over Wolves on Saturday.
Chelsea won 3-0 for the second time in the space of a week on Saturday afternoon. They followed up their victory over AC Milan in the Champions League with the dispatching of Wolves.
Kai Havertz put Potter’s side in front in stoppage time of the first half. Then, Christian Pulisic scored within 10 minutes of the second half and Armando Broja wrapped it up in stoppage time.
Broja’s goal was his first for the club at senior level after he returned over the summer from a loan spell with Southampton. It will no doubt be a memorable moment for the 21-year-old, even if the result was already pretty much secure.
According to head coach Potter, Wolves were posing a threat in the second half. Hence, for Chelsea to stay in front and cap it off with Broja getting off the mark can be taken as a positive.
Potter reacted: “Credit to Wolves, they came out and gave us more of a test in the second half. We saw that period out and we managed to score a nice goal. Nice at the end for Armando [Broja] to score.
“We want to score more than one, we were playing so well and if you have that performance level the goals will come. Just a case of keeping that going and keeping the performance good. The effort was fantastic and they’ve worked hard in training this week.”
Potter does not feel he is personally responsible for inspiring Broja’s ascension to the Chelsea scoresheet. However, he is pleased to see his hard work pay off.
He said of the striker: “I’ve been here three or four weeks so taking no credit, great finish, nice pass too and whenever he comes on he works hard for the team.
“He’s had to be patient but he’s been working hard in training and it’s nice for him to score.”
It is not just Broja, but some of the bigger stars in the Chelsea squad who have been adapting well to Potter’s methods since he replaced Thomas Tuchel last month.
The group have in turn made an impression on their new coach, who has praised their honesty off the pitch and consistency on it.
Potter summarised: “I’ve said from the start I’ve been impressed with how open, honest and responsible they are.
“It’s difficult to keep the same XI with the schedule but there is an element of consistency to how we play.
“Really happy with the boys and how we’ve recovered. We go again on Tuesday.
“Winning games helps so we look forward to the games, it’s about hard work, it’s being together, that stuff is important but the guys have been really impressive.”
Armando Broja reacts to ‘surreal moment’
For Broja, breaking his Chelsea duck on just his 10th appearance can provide a major confidence boost.
He is still yet to start a match for the club, but can now reflect on an “unreal” feeling of calling himself a Chelsea goalscorer.
Broja said: “It’s always a wait when they check for a possible offside. I was keeping my fingers crossed but I thought I had timed my run well.
“Thanks to the fans for the support. It’s unreal, I’ve been waiting for my first goal. It’s a surreal moment. I can’t put it into words.
“Onto Tuesday now. It was a good performance.
“Everyone knows at one of the biggest clubs in the world there will be competition. It helps us all develop as players. We have a big squad. Everyone is needed at all times.”
Chelsea are next in action on Tuesday for the return leg of their Champions League group-stage fixture against AC Milan.
