Celtic Linked with Chelsea Striker Amid European Interest – But Is This a Risk Worth Taking?
Following a breakthrough loan spell at Southampton (six Premier League goals in 32 games), Broja returned to Chelsea with reasonable expectations . However, his progress stalled. In the last three English seasons, he scored only two goals in 26 appearances for the Blues . Add to that limited impact at Fulham and Everton,zero goals in 10 and six league outings respectively, and it paints a picture of a striker struggling to find consistent form .
Celtic fans will understandably be wary, recalling the Albian Ajeti experiment in 2020. Signed from West Ham for £5 million, Ajeti failed to deliver and eventually went out on loans before moving to Turkey,his stint failing to yield tangible dividends. That cautionary tale looms large when considering another transition from English football to Glasgow .
Adding to concerns, Broja has missed significant game time due to injuries. A spell on the sidelines at Everton, first with an Achilles issue (~95 days) and then ankle trouble (~58 days), limited him to just 10 Premier League outings . Such fragility raises questions: Can he stay fit enough to make an impact in a new league?
Digging deeper into his performance stats illuminates further concerns. In the current 2024–25 season, Broja has registered zero goals and only one yellow card in six Premier League appearances, totaling 168 minutes on the pitch . His expected goals (xG) per 90 is just 0.11, suggesting minimal threat in the box . While he ranks high in dribble attempts, his shot volumes, goal production, and chance creation remain subdued .
Financial considerations may also give Celtic pause. Chelsea reportedly value the striker at around £20 million . And should Arsenal join the chase, as recent rumors suggest, his market could heat up, significantly raising potential wages beyond what Celtic might reasonably match . Such a scenario could saddle the club with a high-cost asset who may not deliver on the field.
Yet it’s not all negative. Broja is still only 23, boasts physical attributes, standing at 191 cm, with pace and power, and succeeded earlier in his career . And the fact multiple clubs across Europe are interested, including Champions League contenders, suggests that scouts still see underlying promise .
If Celtic are to pursue Broja, the deal would need to be structured smartly: perhaps as a loan with an option to buy, or with performance-linked incentives. Such an approach would limit risk while preserving upside if he regains form.
To sum up: while Broja’s past performances haven’t justified strong optimism, his talents and potential auction-style transfer interest mean Celtic shouldn’t dismiss the move outright. However, strategically, this is exactly the type of signing that requires firm safeguards, both sporting and financial, to avoid repeating past missteps like that with Ajeti.
