Chelsea striker Armando Broja makes Carabao Cup winning admission ahead of Middlesbrough tie

Chelsea will travel to the Riverside Stadium tomorrow night for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough and forward Armando Broja says that reaching the final and winning it is pivotal for a club with the stature of Chelsea.

The Blues have struggled in the league but could still enjoy a stellar campaign if they can win the League Cup and the FA Cup. Asked what silverware would mean for a young team expensively assembled, striker Armando said: "One of the biggest aims for the season is to win a trophy. This is important to the club and it's a big history to the club so we want to win as many trophies as we can." 

London-born Albanian forward Broja will be hoping that the game against Middlesbrough is the first step for him to rediscover his form after a long injury layoff last season. He's bagged two goals all season, one in the league and the other in the FA Cup against Preston North End. 

But with strike partner Nicolas Jackson out in the Ivory Coast with his country Senegal for the AFCON and Chelsea fearing Christopher Nkunku has a fresh hip injury, Broja could be the man to send the Blues to Wembley next month and he admits he's been having talks with the manager on how he can improve form and rediscover his smile.

He added: "I've had many conversations with the manager. I felt I was going through quite a difficult period coming back from my injury. Being out of the team for so long and not being involved you could say I felt down with everything that was going on.

"Once I came back I was feeling much more like myself. I still feel there is much more to come from me. and, as the gaffer says, I can get my body language more positive.

"I am a bit harsh on myself at times. That's because I expect a lot from myself and I know what I am capable of. The manager is just trying to take that weight off my shoulders and loosen me up a little bit. I'm trying to take that advice because he has been helping me every day."I need to smile more and be a bit more positive." 

Chelsea last won the Carabao Cup in 2015 but lost the final to Liverpool in 2022. They will instantly transform a campaign that has promised a lot but largely disappointed if they can reach the League Cup final and win it against all odds.