Broja reveals key influences
New Southampton striker Armando Broja has revealed the two players that inspire him most, after putting pen to paper on a season-long loan at St Mary’s.
The Albanian international, who played against England in March, joins Saints from Chelsea after scoring 11 goals on loan at Vitesse last season, helping the Dutch club qualify for the Europa League.
Nineteen-year-old Broja, who stands at 6ft 3in, picked out two global stars of the 21st century that he has studied and hopes to learn from as he embarks on his first Premier League season.
“I’m a tall striker, but I’m also quite quick. I like to dribble, I like to hold up the ball and play with a lot of other players – link-up play. I like scoring a lot of goals, so those are my main attributes, I would say.
“I have two main ones (role models): Cristiano Ronaldo and the original Ronaldo, the Brazilian one. They were my two favourite players.
“Ronaldo was a striker – the Brazilian one – and he was amazing. I look up to him and I’ve watched a lot of his clips on YouTube, because I was quite young when he was playing! I like parts of his game and I try to use some of his game to help me.
“Ronaldo (Cristiano), I love his mentality, I love his work rate and I love how he performs on the pitch, so those are my two favourite players.”
Broja is Saints’ third summer arrival from Chelsea, following in the footsteps of former teammates Dynel Simeu and Tino Livramento, and is itching to get started in red and white.
“Obviously I knew they came here, which was very good for them, and I spoke with Dynel a little bit – not so much Tino, but I get on with both of them really well,” he said.
“Dynel is obviously from Southampton so he knows more about the area and the club. I spoke with him a little bit and he said it’s a very good club with good people and nice facilities, so it was a good conversation.
“For me it’s about trying to help the team as much as possible, trying to play as much as possible, to work hard and help the team with goals, assists and trying to get crucial points.
“It’s to help the team, help the manager, help the players; to learn and develop, get better, get more physical and more experience.”
