Things finally look to be on the up for one Chelsea star as we approach the start of December. After departing Stamford Bridge for Everton on transfer deadline day, Armando Broja has yet to play for his new club due to injury.
However, his full Everton debut could soon be on the horizon after recently making his comeback in first-team training. The striker’s return to fitness will come as a huge boost for Toffees boss Sean Dyche as his team are struggling to find the back of the net in the Premier League right now.
Broja isn’t the only Chelsea loanee who will be looking to make his mark in the weeks ahead as players such as Raheem Sterling and David Datro Fofana look to wow for Arsenal and Goztepe respectively. So how exactly did Chelsea’s loan players fare last weekend?
Alfie Gilchrist (Sheffield United)
Alfie Gilchrist played the full 90 minutes on Saturday afternoon as Coventry City and Sheffield United played out an eventful 2-2 draw at the CBS Arena. Leading 2-1 at the break but having to play the second half with ten men following Anel Ahmedhodzic’s red card on the stroke of half-time, Coventry equalised through Bobby Thomas’ header ten minutes from time.
Gilchrist fared well in The Star’s player ratings from the game and came out with a mark of seven out of ten. They wrote: “Had a tough task against the lively Da Silva and was fortunate that the wing-back couldn’t make more of a late chance in the first half after being left in acres of space to meet a deep cross. But with United’s backs to the wall he came into his own with his sheer love of defending and numerous blocks and tackles.”
Sheffield United are third in the Championship but level on points with leaders Leeds United after 16 games. The Blades face Oxford United on Tuesday evening before hosting second-place Sunderland on Friday night.
Raheem Sterling (Arsenal)
Sterling was only on the pitch for seven minutes on Saturday as Arsenal defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0. However, it was enough time to register an assist as he teed up Ethan Nwaneri for the team’s final goal of the contest.
Sterling came out with a score of seven out of ten in football.london’s player ratings. Arsenal correspondent Kaya Kaynak wrote: “Grabbed his first Premier League goal contribution in an Arsenal shirt with his assist for Nwaneri. What the Gunners needed off the bench.”
There could be an opportunity for Sterling to get some more game time on Tuesday evening when Arsenal face Sporting CP in the Champions League. West Ham follow in the league on Saturday night.
Armando Broja (Everton)
Broja’s long-awaited Everton debut could be just around the corner after joining the Merseyside club with an Achilles injury back in the summer. The striker stepped up his fitness on Monday evening by playing the first 45 minutes of Everton Under-21s’ game against Watford Under-21s.
Broja will now be hoping to feature in the matchday squad on Sunday when the Toffees travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
David Datro Fofana (Goztepe)
Fofana got his name on the scoresheet as Goztepe secured a 4-2 win away at Besiktas on Sunday. Named on the bench to begin with, the striker was introduced on 72 minutes and put his side ahead eight minutes from time after they initially trailed 2-0 inside the opening ten minutes.
It proved to be the decisive goal in the contest as Goztepe leapfrogged their opponents in the Super Lig table. Fofana now has two goals for the Turkish side since joining them on loan from Chelsea in the summer.
Bashir Humphreys (Burnley)
Bashir Humphreys had to settle for minutes off the bench on Saturday as Burnley left Bristol City with a 1-0 win. Keen to see out the game following Jaidon Anthony’s first-half strike, Humphreys was introduced in place of Lucas Pires on 78 minutes.
It’s set to be a busy wTed Curd (Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Fellow shot-stopper Ted Curd also kept a clean sheet at the weekend as Hampton & Richmond Borough defeated Aveley 20.eek for Scott Parker’s side with games against Coventry City and Stoke City on the calendar.
Dylan Williams and Ronnie Stutter (Burton Albion)
Dylan Williams and Ronnie Stutter played no part for Burton Albion at the weekend as they were not part of the squad that lost 3-0 at home to Stockport County.
Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Doncaster Rovers)
Goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe continues to get some first-team experience under his belt after making his 19th appearance of the season on Saturday. The 21-year-old registered his fifth clean sheet of the term after Doncaster played out a 0-0 draw away at Carlisle United.
The South Yorkshire club will be involved in the FA Cup on Sunday lunchtime when they take on non-league side Kettering Town away from home.
Ted Curd (Hampton & Richmond Borough)
Fellow shot-stopper Ted Curd also kept a clean sheet at the weekend as Hampton & Richmond Borough defeated Aveley 2-0.
