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Topics: Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan, Premier League
Josh Lawless
Topics: Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan, Premier League
Chelsea have been told they already have a ready-made replacement for Romelu Lukaku.
Less than a year on after returning to Stamford Bridge in a club-record £97.5 million switch, Lukaku has headed back to Inter Milan on loan after becoming unhappy in west London.
In constant contact with manager Simone Inzaghi throughout last season, Lukaku has joined for an initial £6.9 million loan fee though Inter could pay an extra £3.5 million if they win the Scudetto.
The Blues are on the hunt for yet another new No.9 but former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson believes they need not spend big bucks in the transfer market.
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Instead, he reckons Chelsea should place some faith in 20-year-old Armanda Broja, who impressed on loan at Southampton last season.
The striker has made just one appearance for Chelsea, coming off the bench late in a win over Everton in 8 March.
"I think Chelsea are going to be reluctant to spend scary money again considering what happened with the Romelu Lukaku signing," Johnson told GGRecon.
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"If it was up to me, then I'd give Armando Broja a chance rather than spending £80m on a replacement.
"I'd rather get it wrong with a player that I've already got, rather than get it wrong by spending £80m. Broja is technically good in front of goal but I don't know how good he is yet.
"He did score some fantastic goals for Southampton but, let's face it, Southampton aren't Chelsea. He's going to get more goal scoring opportunities at Chelsea and he's technically good enough to score more next season."
Broja hit nine goals in all competitions, following on from an 11-goal campaign at Chelsea's sister club Vitesse Arnhem the year before.
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The Albania international signed a five-year contract with Chelsea in July 2021 but has been heavily linked with West Ham of late.
It's said Broja could command a £50 million fee if Chelsea elect to cash in.
Last term Thomas Tuchel, having soured on Lukaku when he criticised his tactics in a controversial Sky Italia interview, utilised Timo Werner and Kai Havertz in the main striker.
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Lukaku ended the season with 15 goals in 44 games and his relationship with Tuchel is said to have broken down following a "daddy" joke Tuchel made about Antonio Conte, his former manager at Inter, while the pair were watching a Spurs game.
The Belgian striker was also reportedly unhappy with an apparent snub in the club's New Year post on Twitter.