Chelsea Outcast Broja Seals Fulham Deadline Day Move 

Upon reaching a six-month loan agreement worth £4 million ($5 million) with Fulham, Armando Broja left Chelsea on deadline day.

This transfer window, the Albanian had been the talk of the town, with Wolves seeming to be the early favourites to sign him. The Blues and their London rivals have come to an arrangement, despite Chelsea rejecting their approach earlier this week. Broja joined Fulham on a straightforward six-month loan for a sum that could increase to £4 million based on performance-related add-ons.

READ ALSO: Chelsea Slap Hefty Price Tag On Broja

Chelsea’s sharp awareness of the current status of the market is evident in the loan move. The Blues wanted £50 million ($64 million) for the forward at first, but as teams were strapped for cash this winter, they decided to reduce that amount to £35 million ($45 million), and in the end, they agreed to a simple loan with no purchase obligation. Although Broja should see more playing time as a result of the move, Mauricio Pochettino now has an even more porous front line.

Responsibility has weighed heavy on Nicolas Jackson so far this term but, with Broja gone, the Senegalese remains Pochettino’s main option up front, with the injury-hit Christopher Nkunku the only other option of real quality. Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer have each played as a false nine on occasion, but that doesn’t seem a viable long-term plan.

The action seems to be another risk taken by Chelsea’s owners in an attempt to balance the books by increasing the market value of a homegrown player at the expense of Pochettino’s existing team. Conor Gallagher, who has been linked to a move to rival Tottenham despite playing frequently under the Argentine this season, is someone Chelsea supporters will be hoping stays with the club.