Armando Broja leaves Albania camp early as Chelsea plan for Arsenal match unfolds

Chelsea striker linked up with national team as part of bid to qualify for Euro 2024
Nizaar Kinsella13 October 2023

Armando Broja has returned to Chelsea’s training ground after a brief spell with the Albanian national team.

The 22-year-old striker wanted to return to train under Sylvinho, the national team’s head coach who was appointed shortly after Broja’s major knee injury in December of last year, but will skip the upcoming friendly against Bulgaria.

Chelsea are keen to manage his fitness as they build up to Arsenal’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Broja was also left out of the crucial 3-0 win over Czech Republic in Group E on Thursday night in a further effort to manage his return to full fitness.

Albania remain on the verge of qualifying for Euro 2024, which would be just their second major tournament.

It is understood Broja is keen to play a bigger part during the next international break in November when Albania can secure qualification with winnable fixtures away at Moldova and at home to the Faroe Islands.

The homegrown star was born in Slough in Berkshire to Albanian parents and has previously explained why he didn’t opt to play for England: “It was a big decision, of course.

“I went for it because I have got Albanian blood in me, I am Albanian and my parents are Albanian so it was an easy decision.

“I thought I would love to make the people there proud and make my parents proud. I wanted to lift Albania up as a country to get us to the World Cup or Euros. That’s the biggest thing for them.

“My parents are Albanian, I am Albanian and I have a lot of family in Albania. I visited there every year so it is really a big part of my life.”

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