Armando Broja has just ha an interview published on the official Chelsea website which is really revealing about the suffering of working his way back from a serious injury.
We had forgotten, for example, that the injury happened out in Abu Dhabi during the World Cup break. Just like Ruben Loftus-Cheek a few years ago, an academy product got a career changing injury in a friendly. There’s something even more painful about that.
His quotes make it clear the trauma that he went through as a player on the cusp of a breakthrough he had worked for for a long time.
But there’s also a touching moment where he explains how his teammates Ben Chilwell, who has been through similar injury trauma in the last couple of seasons, helped out:
“Ben Chilwell has helped me out massively,” Broja explained.
“He has spoken to me from the moment it happened until now. Only today we had a conversation about it.
“He’s been through it. He knows exactly how it feels, the pressure, the mental side of things. He’s been helping me every step. He doesn’t have to, but he goes out of his way to talk to me, and help me, so a big thanks to him.
“I watch him now and he’s flying, he’s in good shape, playing well. He’s told me I’m going to come back stronger. It’s good to hear from someone who has been through it.”
What a beautiful thing to hear about the team spirit, which clearly lives on in the dressing room, despite the results.
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