Armando Broja has described the “emotional” feeling of making his Everton debut, while revealing what he thinks he can add to the Blues’ attack.
The on-loan forward, who arrived on transfer deadline day from Chelsea, had yet to feature for Sean Dyche’s side due to a foot injury sustained during the summer.
However, Broja – after having proved his fitness – made his first appearance for Everton during Wednesday night’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Arriving onto the field at Goodison Park in the 83rd minute to replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Broja was involved in creating three chances for the Toffees during an impressive 12- minute cameo from the substitutes’ bench.
“I was so happy and delighted to be back out there on the pitch with the players, with the team and with the fans,” he told evertontv after the game. “I’ve been waiting a long time, but like I’ve said before, you’ve got to be patient for those moments, those chances and those situations like today, where I was happy to be back and to embrace the feeling from the fans.
“It’s just something that you’ve got to hold quite close to you because it was very emotional for me. So, thanks to the fans and everyone in the stadium, who gave me a nice warm welcoming. Also, the players. They really helped me and boosted me on and just let me play my way and play with freedom.
“I felt great. Like I said, I’ve come back from a long injury. Still, there’s more to come from me. I can get even sharper; I can get even better and I can still keep improving. I felt really good to be back out there. I really enjoyed it. I played with a smile on my face. I can still keep going forward and keep giving more.”
With the 23-year-old Albania international now amongst manager Dyche’s striking options for the Senior Team, there appears to be more competition for places amongst the Blues front line.
Youssef Chermiti could be added to that soon. The young Portuguese is closing in on a full recovery from a foot injury picked up in pre-season.
Broja, revealing why he thinks the competition for the No.9 position amongst himself, Calvert-Lewin, Beto and Chermiti can only be advantageous for the Toffees, explained: “Like in every club and especially Everton – it’s a massive club and you’ve got to have competition. It’s one of the most important things to always push each other on.
“We’ve got a great relationship – me, Dom, Beto and Youssef, but you need to have that element of pushing each other on. You can never be too comfortable, and you’ve always got to give your all for the team.
“So, it’s a positive thing to have and I’m sure the manager’s delighted that he’s got more options to use, as well. It’s a really good thing to have and I just want to push my teammates to be better; I want to push myself to be better, push the team, try to do as well as I can for the team, and I’ll keep doing that.”
