Chelsea striker Armando Broja has praised the link-up between Malo Gusto and Mykhailo Mudryk against Preston North End.
The Blues advanced into the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening by beating PNE 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were flat in the first half and were arguably second-best as North End showed a little more fight.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men found the opener through Armando Broja’s header and the floodgates well and truly opened.
Thiago Silva headed in number two, Raheem Sterling’s free-kick made it 3-0 and Enzo Fernandez tapped in a fourth to seal a convincing win.
Armando Broja praises Chelsea duo
This was always going to be a big opportunity for striker Broja.
Nicolas Jackson is now away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Christopher Nkunku has picked up a hip problem.
Broja was subsequently given the nod in the Chelsea attack and he got Chelsea going with a lovely opener.
Broja’s movement saw him sneak in front of a PNE defender and plant a header into the net from Malo Gusto’s cross.
The Frenchman is a right back by trade but was thrown in at left back against North End and made an impact with a fine assist.
Broja has now praised Gusto whilst speaking to Chelsea’s official website, highlighting the link-up between Gusto and winger Mykhailo Mudryk.
The pair operated down the left flank and Broja was seemingly impressed with their play whilst knowing that they would provide him with chances to score.
Broja hailed Gusto’s ‘great delivery’ for his goal with the Frenchman showing his attacking qualities against Championship opposition.
“I was really pleased with my goal, I thought it was a good header. I just wanted to make sure I got myself into the box to be in the right area. With Misha and Malo linking up down the left, I knew they’d provide me with the service. Malo did that, it was a great delivery and I’m just glad I was able to head the ball beyond the goalkeeper and get the goal,” he added.
Gusto is in a similar boat to Broja in terms of trying to take his chance right now.
Reece James is out injured yet again and Gusto is next up at right back.
The former Lyon talent has now shown that he can offer a threat on the left side too, with that versatility potentially vital moving forward.
Mudryk didn’t offer quite as much and question marks still surround the Ukrainian a year since his move from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Saturday was a successful day for Chelsea’s fringe players though and we may now see Broja and Gusto start against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night and Fulham at the weekend.
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