Sean Dyche is optimistic that Armando Broja is nearing his Everton debut, as the club looks to expedite the on-loan Chelsea forward's recovery from injury. Broja joined Everton just before the transfer deadline but has yet to play due to an Achilles injury sustained during pre-season, which also halted a potential move to Ipswich. The 23-year-old is still unavailable for Saturday's home match against Brentford but could see action in under-21 fixtures as he regains fitness.
The Everton manager stated: "He has put in sufficient work with us, and we cannot fully simulate the match experience, so I would rather see him play for the under-21s as it at least resembles a game. We are currently discussing his next steps. He has had a very strong week and a robust rehabilitation process, so hopefully, this allows us to accelerate his return more than usual."
Everton has an option to secure Broja on a permanent basis next summer and is in dire need of additional attacking prowess. Dyche is hopeful that the Albania international, along with Youssef Chermiti, another striker sidelined by injury this season, will be fit to address this issue before Christmas. "We might get ahead of that," Dyche said. "We will have to wait and see. It hasn't been difficult to be patient with him because there's no other choice. Some injuries make you think, 'Really?' But with this one, we had to be cautious due to it being a tendon injury."
Everton's prospective new owner, the Friedkin Group, is still awaiting Premier League approval for its bid to acquire Farhad Moshiri's stake. Dyche notes that funds for reinforcements in the January window will likely remain limited unless the takeover is completed before it opens. "There is no update," he said regarding the takeover. "So, we are operating under the current financial constraints of the club. If the Friedkin Group successfully takes over, things might change. But for now, we are adhering to the guidelines that were in place before."
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