Tuchel says he does not expect Broja to leave Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel says he does not expect Armando Broja to leave Chelsea.

It comes amid strong interest in the 20-year-old striker from West Ham, who are reportedly willing to pay around £30m for him.

Broja, who spent last season on loan at Southampton, is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2026.

Chelsea head coach Tuchel said: “I don’t expect Armando to leave. We are aware of offers and interest but he is our player. We will take the decision with the owners.

“When he arrived (for pre-season) it was clear he was trying to impress and be a Chelsea player as soon as possible.

“I am pretty calm about it because we know the situation and we have a contract.”

Tuchel also indicated that another loan move for Broja might be on the cards.

The youngster started 21 Premier League games for Southampton last season and scored six goals.

“We obviously have to weigh up our interests with the player’s interests,” Tuchel said.

“The question is: what is good for the players? Is there a prospect of getting minutes or is there no prospect of getting minutes?

“If there isn’t, then I think players like Armando who has already played in the Premier League, it’s not enough if they are only training with the group.

“Sometimes with young players like Harvey Vale there can be a transition from youth football to Premier League football and it can be OK for a year where you adapt to the intensity, physicality and speed in training.

“But at some point you need games and I think for Armando – players who already played in the Premier League – we have to look at the situation very carefully and decide if we have the minutes that we can offer that he continues to grow in his development or if it’s better to bring him into another loan to give him match minutes.”