Loan Watch: A look at whether Chelsea can recall impressive PL loanee in January

Chelsea may be unable to recall Armando Broja from Southampton next January

According to Football.London, Chelsea cannot recall Armando Broja from his loan spell at Southampton until January. That too only if the Saint agrees to such a move.

The Blue are having injury crisis with both Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku out with their respective injuries which have kept the west Londoners short upfront. Lukaku and Werner both picked up injuries during their side’s Champions League clash with Malmo last month and have missed Chelsea’s last four encounters in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Broja has impressed for Saints in recent weeks, scoring four goals in eight games across all competitions. But despite, Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel being urged by the club’s supporters to recall the Albanian striker from loan – it looks, the club won’t be able to do that until January as per English Premier League loan rule, and only if both clubs agree to it.

Premier League outfield players are only able to move clubs during the transfer window. This includes being recalled back to a parent club from a spell on loan. Only goalkeepers are allowed to swap clubs otherwise and that too only on an emergency basis.

Broja has been developing pretty well since joining Southampton. However, he picked up an injury last week and missed their match against Watford at the weekend. The on-loan striker picked up an ankle injury after scoring in the 2-2 draw with Burnley last week.

Chelsea are currently top of the Premier League table. In the absence of a fit strike force, Tuchel is playing Kai Havertz upfront as a false No.9. The German international has not helped matters and is struggling for form.

However, If the German’s role was to pin the center backs and free up space for midfielders and full backs, then he has performed that role pretty well. Despite not having strikers, Chelsea put three past against Newcastle United last Sunday and managed to scrape past Malmo 1-0 in their Champions League encounter on Tuesday.

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Broja must be given credit for his performances at St Mary’s. As long as he keeps performing, there will always be a chance he can make it at Chelsea.

The Blues for their part are better off letting the youngster develop at Southampton. He has a better chance of playing regularly under Ralph Hasenhuttl and it could prove counterproductive to recall him.