Martin Keown is convinced reported Arsenal target Armando Broja is on his way to becoming an ‘outstanding talent’ following his match-winning cameo during Southampton’s FA Cup victory over West Ham United, speaking to the BBC.
It was a tale of two benches at St Mary’s.
David Moyes turned to his and saw a fleet of fresh-faced youngsters, a quintet of U23s with just four first-team appearances between them.
If Moyes could call upon a player of Broja’s outrageous talent when the scores were level at 1-1, perhaps West Ham would be gearing up for a first quarter-final clash since the Dimitri Payet heyday.
Instead, it is Southampton who secured a place in the last eight, with their 20-year-old Albanian offering another reminder of his sky-high potential.
Broja bamboozled Craig Dawson before winning a penalty James Ward-Proswe slammed high into the West Ham net.
And, in stoppage time, he scored his ninth goal in Saints colours with a strike that had Keown rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
“I do feel he’s the real deal. He is gonna be an outstanding talent, I can tell you that,” says the Arsenal legend.
Will Chelsea sell Broja to Arsenal?
According to Football London, the Gunners are looking into a summer deal for Broja. The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2026.
“He is simply a class above all the strikers on this pitch, the potential he has,” Keown adds. “I mean, get the ball to him whenever you can.
“That’s an outstanding goal. Pace, power and then the finesse at the end of it. He changes gear, slips inside and look at that, cultured finish. This is a player. Clearly (Chelsea) want him back after this.
“So impressive.”
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea would consider selling arguably the most exciting young talent currently on their books to a London rival.
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