Pochettino says Broja's goal vs Fulham could 'be start of something'

10/06/2023 Soccer

Mauricio Pochettino insists Armando Broja’s fortunate goal against Fulham could ‘be the start of something good’ as comparisons with early Harry Kane strike arise

  • Broja scored the Blues’ second against Fulham when the ball rebounded off him
  • He is returning to the team after several months out injures with an ACL issue
  • The fortunate goal has been likened to one scored by Kane for Tottenham in 2014

Mauricio Pochettino hopes Armando Broja’s fortunate goal at Fulham could be a lucky ‘spark’ like the one that kick-started Harry Kane’s career.

Pochettino was in charge of Tottenham when Kane scored with a deflected free-kick at Aston Villa in 2014, one of the early goals on his journey to becoming one of the world’s best strikers.

It was important to Pochettino too. He has described it as a winning goal that kept him in his job.

So Pochettino smiled when reminded of it and asked if Chelsea’s fluke second goal at Fulham could also be the start of something good for Broja.

An academy striker like Kane, Broja got on the scoresheet when Tim Ream’s attempted clearance flicked doff him and past Bernd Leno.

Mauricio Pochettino has insisted Armando Broja’s goal against Fulham could ‘be the start of something good’

Broja scored a fortunate goal for the Blues when the ball rebounded off him and into the net

He is returning to the first team set-up after several months out injured with an ACL issue

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Pochettino said: ‘The best players, the best coaches, always you need in some points these things [little sparks] that change the present and build a better future. I hope that it was a signal.

‘A thing that can be the start of something good and to build the success in Chelsea – for him and for us.’

It was 22 year-old Broja’s first Chelsea goal since his recovery from the ACL injury he suffered last December.

Before then he was set to be handed the chance to nail down a spot in the Chelsea team.

That opportunity has presented itself again but with Nicolas Jackson now his main rival following Chelsea’s squad overhaul while he has been recovering.

Th strike has been likened to Harry Kane’s deflected free kick goal for Tottenham against Aston Villa in 2014

Pochettino helped mould Kane into one of the best strikers in the world as he made his way through the ranks at Tottenham

Pochettino added: ‘He needs to prove himself and give everything to be another no1 striker in this great club.

‘It’s only up to him now to show he can cope with the pressure to play here and to improve.

‘Because he scored the other day we are not going to say that he is going to play tomorrow or he is going to be in the starting XI and now he is a big star. Armando needs time. He needs to improve in many aspects, in many areas. He has the talent, of course.

‘And he needs to prove he can be a top scorer in the Premier League. Still a lot of things to do.’

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