Abraham looking to take advantage of ‘massive opportunity’ for youth at Chelsea

With two weeks of preseason training under his belt, Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham’s looking to keep working towards that elusive first-team spot. Unlike previous years, it truly seems like this summer the homegrown talent will actually be appropriately rewarded. We may have a transfer ban to thank for that situation, but the new coaching staff led by Frank Lampard seems truly committed to making this homegrown idealism work, and that has been felt by all the youngsters currently embedded with the seniors on tour.

“I’ve been here since the age of six and there’s been no better opportunity to graft and work hard for a starting spot and a place in the team for a massive club such as Chelsea.

“With the new manager in charge, all things look possible, so it gives the young lads and a lot of the players the chance to believe. You can already see in pre-season and even in training, he comes to speak to us and give us instructions on what to do, what to improve on, what he likes. It’s always good to have a manager who speaks to players, not just the senior players but the younger players as well. It’s a massive opportunity for us.”

Like fellow Chelsea lifer Mason Mount, Tammy dominated at youth level and impressed in the Championship, but knows that success in the second division alone won’t be enough for Chelsea minutes. The landscape may have shifted, but he still has to put in the hard work to earn his chances. And while Tammy’s competition at center forward may not be as tough as what Mount’s facing in midfield, he still has two experienced senior internationals, one whom was the starter for World Cup champions France, to beat out for his opportunities.

“There’s pressure everywhere I go and everywhere I’ve been, that’s football for you. I like the pressure, it drives me on. Having competition like Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi, that’s fantastic competition up there as well, so I’m striving to do better.

”I’ve just got to work hard in training. The manager has told me what he likes in me and what he wants me to continue doing. I just need to improve that other side of my game. He knows I can score goals, it’s just the defensive side of my game. I just need to work hard for the team, give 100 per cent in training and hopefully get my opportunity.”

-Tammy Abraham; source: Sky

Abraham missed Chelsea’s friendly on Friday after feeling unwell, but he returned to training this weekend and will be hoping to get on the scoresheet against Barcelona tomorrow. Intriguingly, he played alongside Batshuayi in the friendly against St Pats, with Chelsea deploying a throwback two-striker formation. Whether as a pair or as a single striker, Tammy could be set for a big role this season and going forward.