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Broja "unbridles fantasy": We have the players to take Albania to the World Cup finals

2023-04-25 11:32:44Sport SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Broja "unbridles fantasy": We have the players to take Albania to the
Armando Broja

The striker of the Albanian national team and of Chelsea, Armando Broja, gave an interview to the prestigious magazine "World Soccer" where he talked about his career, the process of recovery from injury, his vision, but also about the relationship with the new coach of Albania , Sylvio Mendes Campos Junior.

Broja is convinced that with the talent that Albania has, it can play in the finals of the biggest tournaments on the planet, such as the European and the World Cup, while on a personal level, it does not set limits for itself and aims to reach the top.

Armando, how is your recovery from the knee injury at the end of last year going?

I am recovering much faster than expected. Being able to get back into the gym and work on strength training has been a huge boost for me as I was forced to stay in bed and spend more time in physio during the first few weeks after surgery. It was the most difficult period. I was on bed rest for about six weeks and couldn't do anything, so I'm glad I'm past that stage now. The run and change of direction will come over the next few months, things I'm currently working on, but we're being very careful not to rush too much.

How do you spend your day at the club's training center in Cobham during the rehabilitation process?

We are doing a lot of work on reactivating the muscles and legs. The muscles in both legs are very weakened due to inactivity after the surgery, so we are slowly rebuilding the muscle structures. I'm doing a lot of swimming, cycling, strength and conditioning exercises as well as some balance exercises in the sand, it's all very tiring and hard work, but we're seeing improvements and it feels great. The plan is to be back at the start of next season, but things are looking very positive and we have burned through the deadlines.

Chelsea have made many new signings this season. How have the new players adapted?

There are certainly a lot of new faces at the club. But they are all great guys and have adapted very quickly. There have been big changes at the club in all areas and of course it will take time to get things in line and get everyone on the same path moving forward. It is important to add quality to the squad and activate that competition for every position on the pitch. That is something that is essential to succeed and be among the top clubs, having two or three world-class players in every position to push everyone to their full potential, and I think we we have the elements. I am sure we will see improvements much sooner than thought if we all stick together.

You signed a 6-year contract with the club at the beginning of this season. Do you think you are projected to be a key element in Chelsea's future?

Of course. This seems to be the philosophy of the new owners, planning for the future and it is a great honor that they have trusted me as an important part of the club. Chelsea have supported me a lot in my career and now it's up to me to repay that trust. Once I get back from injury, that's my biggest short-term goal, to try that and I'll have to take every opportunity that comes my way.

You had two successful experiences as a loan player at Vitese and Southampton. What have you learned most in these clubs?

My experience at Vitese marked the big step of transitioning from academy football to senior football, and the gap between the two realities was clear. I had to adapt my mindset and immediately enter this new reality. They were all professional, ate right, trained 100% and motivated each other in the gym all the time, and they expected more from me as a player compared to academy football.

Southampton was a great experience for me and marked an even bigger step from the Dutch League to the Premier League. On the field everything is faster, more physical and more challenging. It was important for me to train and run more, and I did it successfully, but you can really tell the difference playing against some of the best teams and players in the world every week. But I always knew I wanted to go back to Chelsea afterwards. I have supported the club since I was young and my aim has always been to achieve success with Chelsea.

Who were your idols in football?

There have always been two for me: Cristiano Ronaldo and R9 (The Phenomenon). Every kid wanted to be like Cristiano Ronaldo when I was little. He is such an amazing player and he has always been an inspiration to me and I tried to emulate him growing up. I feel like I have some similar physical abilities to him and by watching him I constantly think about improvements I can make to my game.

But the R9 was the biggest influence. I never got to see him on the field playing a game, but my dad always showed me videos of him playing and told me all about him. Dad wanted me to be a striker like Ronaldo, his skills, goals, touch, he was the complete striker. He played with his left foot, with his right foot, he had speed, strength, finishing and very skilled in the construction of the game. I could spend years watching YouTube videos of him playing like a "beast".

You grew up in a neighborhood of London called Slough and you have Albanian parents. How much influence have they and the Albanian heritage had on your life?

It was difficult for my parents when they came to England, but they were always determined to do everything they could to give me and my two sisters the best opportunities in life, for which I am eternally grateful. They would make sure I never missed school or a training session and pushed us to be the best people we could be. Because of them, I have a great love and respect for Albania and its people. It was a great honor for me to debut with the Albanian national team in 2020 and it felt like I was repaying my parents for all the sacrifices they have made so that I could succeed in football. They were speechless when they saw me for the first time with the National Team on the field and it was amazing to see them smiling in the stands.

The former defender of Brazil, Arsenal and Manchester City, Sylvinho, has recently taken the job of coach of Albania. Did you get a chance to talk to him about his project?

Yes, we have spoken several times. He came to England to meet me, he is a very good person and has a clear and direct vision of where he wants to take the team. It is very encouraging. He shares my ambition to go to the finals of a World Cup and European Championship with Albania, but we have no illusions about the fact that this objective will take its time. As with Chelsea, it takes patience to get everyone on the same track when there are changes in the dressing room, but I have no doubt that Sylvinho will have a huge and positive impact on the team.

There are some interesting talents who have become part of the Albanian national team, people like you, Kristjan Asllani, Marash Kumbulla and Nedim Bajrami. What is it like to be a key part of this project?

It is very exciting to be part of a team with some very special young players. But what is also important is the experience we have as a group, which acts as a good mix. It's about putting everyone in the same situation and Sylvinho, along with his assistant Pablo Zabaleta, understand that. I have no doubt that we have a lot of talent there and it is a real honor for me to be a part of this project. We saw what Morocco did at the World Cup and we believe there is no reason why we as a group cannot repeat something similar in the future. We have the talent to take Albania to the World Cup for the first time in its history.

What are some of the biggest goals you want to achieve in your football career?

I have always believed in aiming high and having the biggest possible goals to achieve. There is no point in setting yourself low goals that can be easily achieved. In terms of the team, my main objective is to help Albania reach the finals of a World Cup and help the club win the Champions League trophy. On a personal level, I have always dreamed of winning the Ballon d'Or. Everyone thinks that would be a crazy feat, but I would never rule it out as an option if I continue to stay high and work hard. Of course, I need to develop and improve even more, but I have no doubt that it is within my power to achieve such a goal.


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