Tammy Abraham wants to follow in Didier Drogba’s footsteps at Chelsea

Chelsea have a long and wonderful history of stellar center forward play, even if recent high profile failures have created the so-called “Curse” of the No.9 shirt. The latest player to try to break that is, perhaps quite fittingly, one of our own, one who’s seen all the successes and disappointments at that position come and go since joining the club fifteen years ago, at the under-8 level.

The same year that a young Tammy first walked in through the gates, a certain player who were told should be judged only when he left, arrived as well. In his altogether nine seasons at Chelsea, Didier Drogba would only score more than a dozen Premier League goals twice, 2006-07 and 2009-10, but his contributions and his importance extended well above and beyond. In the final judgement, he stood among the very best, among the greatest legends.

Young Tammy was watching all along.

“I have so many stories from when I was younger watching him, growing up watching such a talented striker. I’ve always wanted to be like him, always hungry to score goals.”

“Just looking at him he had that appearance about him. And I’ve always wanted to add that to my game. So to follow in his footsteps [as the club’s main striker] is always nice.”

-Tammy Abraham; source: Mirror

Drogba scored his first Premier League goal in his third Premier League game. Abraham scored his first Premier League goal for Chelsea in his third Premier League game of the season as well. And then his second. The next game he’d add two more, and is now sitting on 4 from 4 appearances. Drogba didn’t get his fourth Premier League goal until just before Christmas, though he had missed almost two months with an abdominal injury.

Abraham’s habit of setting goal targets may be all his own however. This year, he’s targeting last year’s total from one division lower: 26.

“I always say to myself, you know, I want to hit close to what I got last season in terms of goals. If I get anywhere near to what go last season, it’s a fantastic year for me.”

-Tammy Abraham; source: Evening Standard

Off to good start then for Tammy in his quest to follow in a legend’s footsteps and break a curse along the way. Now, he just has to keep it going.