Sean Dyche could be tempted to start with Armando Broja when Everton face Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium.
The 23-year-old striker joined the Toffees in the summer transfer window from Chelsea on loan and made his first appearance for the club after coming from the bench in Everton’s 4-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Broja was struggling with a foot injury since he joined and only returned to full Everton training this month.
Dyche has watched him closely in training, and it seems the Everton boss is very impressed with what he saw from Broja.
The Toffees boss says his gut feelings tell him that Broja could be a big success at the club. However, he admits it’s too early to make big comments about him because he has not even started a game for Everton.
“So that’s where we’re at the moment with him in his development. From what my gut tells me and my instinct tells me from what I’m seeing, he’s got a chance to mould himself into many different things,” said Dyche, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“Because he’s got a good presence, but he is quick, he can play, I love his hold-up play and his understanding. His defending play, like a lot of centre-forwards, needs work because in the Premier League, you’ve got to defend from the front.
“They’re all important facts of the modern striker. So he certainly can develop that side of things. But the other side of his game, some of it is natural development and let’s see where it takes him.”
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Armando Broja could be a key player for Everton
Broja is determined to become a regular Premier League striker after failing to make an impact at Chelsea.
He is hungry to prove a point, and Everton can provide him the necessary platform to shine. He was impressive in the cameo role against Wolves, and the club expect more from him.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been the first-choice striker for the Toffees, but he has failed to find the net since the 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa in September.
Likewise, Dyche doesn’t seem to trust Beto enough, and it means Broja could lead the line upfront if the club feels he is now physically ready to start a game.
Everton have failed to score in their three previous away matches at Southampton, West Ham United and Manchester United, and they need a strong performance today.