Abraham is on fire: Did Chelsea make a huge mistake by selling a homegrown hero?
The Blues’ inability to score goals calls into doubt Thomas Tuchel’s decision to allow England striker Wayne Rooney to depart to Italy in the summer.
Tammy Abraham seemed to be at a loss for words.
“What a win!” exclaimed the Roma striker following his team’s 4-1 victory over Atalanta on Saturday. “Wow, what a win.” “I can’t think of anything else to say.”
His mix of delight and skepticism was unsurprising.
In their own backyard, Roma had just thrashed one of Serie A’s most in-form teams. It was also their first season-opening victory.
For months, Giallorossi coach Jose Mourinho had been asked when the Giallorossi will eventually beat one of the league’s big clubs.
Of all, they were bound to arrive someday, but no one expected them to riot in Bergamo.
“A lot of people underestimated us, thought it was Mission: Impossible for our team,” Abraham conceded, “but this is by far one of our best wins this season.”
Many others had doubted him as well.
A cash-strapped club made a significant investment in a 23-year-old striker with only 26 Premier League goals to his name.
However, the purchase is beginning to appear to be a masterstroke by Roma and a blunder by Chelsea.
That’s not to say Abraham has had an easy time in Italy; far from it. But getting the best out of him is the issue.
He got off to a strong start, winning acclaim he had a lot of movement and was unselfish, but he didn’t have much luck in front of goal.
Abraham stated that he hadn’t expecting it to be quite so difficult, as he was hitting the woodwork more than the back of the net.
In November, he told The Telegraph, “Players are highly sharp, and defence is really crucial in the Italian style of play.”
“We’re so used to attacking, attacking, attacking in England that learning the other method is a challenge for me.”
Fortunately, he had Jose Mourinho, the master of ‘the other way,’ to instruct him.
The Portuguese were instrumental in persuading Abraham, who had been interested in joining Arsenal, to transfer to Rome, believing that he was more than capable of filling the vacuum left by Edin Dzeko up front.
Mourinho, on the other hand, was well aware that Roma’s new No.9 would need some time to acclimate to his new surroundings it’s time to adjust to “a different sort of football,” as the 56-year-old put it.
Last season, Abraham had switched from the European champions to the seventh-best squad in Serie A.
“Tammy was playing for a side that was always in control, and a striker’s sole purpose is to score goals,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia.
“In Italy, it’s critical for the striker to work for the team as well, pressing the rival center-backs while also launching the defense from there.”
“It’s a need he’s never had before, but he’s picking up on it, as well as the concept of working for the team.” I’m pleased since he’s making significant progress.” It’s time to adjust to “a different sort of football,” as the 56-year-old put it.
Last season, Abraham had switched from the European champions to the seventh-best squad in Serie A.
“Tammy was on a squad that was always winning, Mourinho told Sky Sport Italia that a striker’s sole purpose is to score goals”
“In Italy, it’s critical for the striker to work for the team as well, pressing the rival center-backs while also launching the defense from there.”
“It’s a need he’s never had before, but he’s picking up on it, as well as the concept of working for the team.” I’m pleased since he’s making significant progress.”
That assertion cannot be refuted. The stats aren’t deceiving.
Abraham has four goals in his past six Serie A appearances after scoring only twice in his previous 11 matches.
In his last 10 games for club and country, he has scored 12 goals in 24 appearances and has 11 goal involvements (scored nine, assisted two).