Armando Dobra de Chesterfield: Premier League offers to the National League … and believing that it can reach the summit | Football news

Football has been the life of Armando Dobra for as long as he can remember.

“I have always had a ball at my feet,” he said Sky Sports. “When I was five or six years old, I saw a local team training and asked my mother if I could join. My father spoke to the coach, and from there, I never stopped playing.

“I broke a few windows at home giving a kick in the ball, but football has always been my passion.”

The passion took him to Ipswich Town, where he joined the Academy in adolescence. At 18, he made his debut and scored in a defeat of the Carabao Cup against Luton Town.

At the time, the tractor boys struggled in League One and Dobra was frustrated because opportunities proved to be difficult to find.

“The goal against Luton was one of the best moments in my career,” he recalls. “I had a few minutes and I had the interest of the Premier League clubs.

“Brighton made an offer to me, and there were interests from Leeds and Atalanta, but Ipswich refused it. They told me that I was one of their plans, and by loyalty, I stayed because they gave me my departure.

“I did not have the opportunity that I think I deserved in Ipswich. I was playing well but I did not have a series of coherent matches. Once you have had a taste of first team football, you want more.

“It was frustrating that it did not work, but everything happens for a reason.”

The reason was finally a move to Chesterfield – initially on loan – to connect his former manager of Ipswich, Paul Cook.

“When Ipswich brought more players, I knew that my chances would be limited and I wanted regular football. The gaffer knew me of Ipswich, so I joined him there and I loved my time since.

“When I joined Chesterfield, I told the manager to judge me on my performances. If I didn’t play well, don’t choose me. But give me a few games and I get proved.

Dobra, now 24, has certainly done it. There were 10 goals while Chesterfield won the national league in 2023/24, and nine in League two last season when they took place at the semi-finals of the playoffs. If Dobra had been in good shape to start the first step – in which they underwent an expensive 2-0 defeat at home against Walsall – it may be another story.

This season, Chesterfield is again difficult to the right. Dobra has four goals and two assists in his name. But it strives better.

“I could have had more, but it’s football. You miss and mark it. The goal is always to improve and continue to push for more.

“One thing I wanted to add to my game is the more aid. I have not created so much last season, so I focus on the supply of clear chances for my teammates.

“I trust my ability to mark and create. The most important thing is to play well and help the team win.”

Dobra Harbors hopes to play at senior level for Albania – which he represented at youth levels – and playing at the top table of English game. The two goals would undoubtedly strive.

And he has confidence in himself that he can hit these heights.

“I learned from experience and I always think I can reach the top,” he said. “The players went from non-bite to the Premier League, which motivates me every day.

“I believe that Chesterfield can reach League One and even the championship in the coming years. Players like Ollie Watkins and Jamie Vardy show what is possible. You cannot abandon your goals, no matter where you are playing.”

It is a level of determination that could take Dobra and Chesterfield, far.