Chelsea: Tuchel had 'genuine belief' in £43m star at Stamford Bridge

Ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel had “genuine belief” in Armando Broja, says journalist Dean Jones.

The 20-year-old recently signed a new six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, and Jones was expecting him to get plenty of opportunities under Tuchel before his sacking.

After a successful loan spell at Southampton last season, Broja attracted a lot of interest during the summer transfer window.

According to multiple outlets, including The Guardian, West Ham made a bid for the young striker as David Moyes looked to improve his forward options.

In the end, though, Broja remained in west London and signed that new contract, much to the delight of Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly.

“We are delighted Armando has committed to Chelsea,” Boehly told the club’s official website. “He is a young and exciting striker and a big part of our plans moving forward.”

Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Tuchel had faith in Broja and would have given him chances this season.

Speaking to GMS, the transfer insider said: “It [his new contract] underlines the fact that Tuchel did have a genuine belief in him.

“I think that there are a few people within the game that had some doubt about whether that was actually the case, but Tuchel really did like the player. He was going to give him more chances now that he’s finally fit.”

Tuchel clearly rated Broja and had already given him some minutes in both the Premier League and Champions League.

The Albanian, who is valued at £43m by the CIES Football Observatory, came off the bench in Chelsea’s recent 1-0 defeat away at Dinamo Zagreb, while he has also made appearances against the likes of West Ham and Southampton domestically.

It is unlikely that he will be a starter at Stamford Bridge, especially following