For a young forward struggling to make his mark at Chelsea, England international, Tammy Abraham‘s decision to ride against the tide by coming to Italy is paying off. The tall attacker who joined Roma FC in the Italian Serie A last season has turned around his fortune and career by getting more playing time, a starting shirt, and plenty of goals.
“One thing I said when I came here (Roma) was that I’m going to help my team get to a final and one day I’m going to win a trophy. In my first season, I’ve achieved that,” said Tammy.
And his role in Roma making history by lifting a first continental trophy- the Europa Conference League trophy- in their history cannot be underplayed, with Abraham ending the season with nine goals in the competition – just one behind the tournament’s highest scorer.
The victory last May represents a remarkable first year in Rome for the 25-year-old.
MOURINHO FACTOR
The England international and son of Nigerian parents said the club coach Jose Mourinho made the move easy for him.
“He (Mourinho) told me that he would allow me to showcase myself as a top striker in Roma. I came here to win. I didn’t just come here to play and score goals; I came here to help the team as much as possible and hopefully, we can win a trophy as part of that.
“And, of course, Jose the manager has been very successful, he’s very ambitious – and that’s what I love because I’m the same. The difference is he is the coach and I am a player. But it’s nice to have someone of that high caliber be the manager of such a great team.”
LOVING FANS
Then, the fans made his stay so welcoming.
“I love [the fans], I love them. From day one when I got here, it’s been the best. I’m happy to be part of the team.
“You know, since I arrived in Rome the fans have been amazing. They have welcomed me, and so have the players as well. I felt at home as soon I got here. With fans like this, I want to make everyone happy, I want them to all enjoy watching football again. We’ve had Covid, we’ve had situations that mean fans haven’t been at the stadium [recently]. So we want to put on a good performance for them. “For me, wherever I am, I want to put my heart, sweat, and blood into it. And I want the fans to see that I am doing that too. I don’t like to take too long to settle in anywhere and I want to make an instant impact and hopefully, I’ve done that and I’ve been able to show my teammates and the fans that.”
MATURING WITH AGE
From playing as an assist striker and winger, Mourinho has entrusted his attack onto Abraham who is maturing with age.
He said: “You know I am a player that as I grew up, I wasn’t originally a striker, I was a right-winger. So, I am used to playing many different positions, I’m used to playing with different types of players and different strikers – not just me alone up front. I can do that but whatever the team is, whatever the formation is, whatever players he puts alongside me, or me with them, I will always try to do my best and do what I can to score and assist and have an impact on the game. So, for me, I am happy with either one.”
“One thing I have learned here already is that every team is very good. Every team is good. Compared to the Premier League, let’s say, if you are at one of the good teams you are going to have a lot of the ball, and you are going to dominate against the, let’s say, smaller teams. But here everyone is equal. Everyone wants the ball, every team is compact and a good shape and so you have to find different ways to break teams down.
“I was focused on my football. I was focused on wanting to play football. I want to help a team. When Roma came in and showed they were interested, I got my mind focused on coming here and helping as much as I can.
“Now I am the No. 9 here. I have to give [Edin] Dzeko credit, I grew up watching him when he was at different teams, and he did well here and it means they are big boots to fill. But I am a person who always believes in myself, I always back myself to help the team as much as possible.”
Abraham has scored 19 goals in over 50 appearances in all tournaments.
Before Mourinho, however, beckoned on him, Abraham had fallen for the Italian style of football.
“I would like to say that it’s not just because of Jose that I am here. Of course, he has had a big impact on why I am here, but I’ve also grown up watching Roma on TV, in the Champions League and everything else, and so I’ve known about the club for a very long time. I’ve had the privilege of playing with players like Antonio Rudiger and Emerson Palmieri, who have been at this club as well. Rudiger told me so many good things about his time here, so that had an impact on my decision as well. But I am very young, I still have a lot of time to go and a lot of things to develop on. This is a step forward but it is not the end, it’s just the beginning (for me).”
CHELSEA
The Chelsea experience, he said, is behind him now.
“For me, I don’t focus on who Chelsea buy or whatever else. Wherever I am I want to focus on myself and my football. It’s not about going away to impress them, about trying to convince them to buy me back – that’s not my focus. My focus is coming out of my comfort zone, coming to a new country, embracing a new culture, learning different things, and adding different ideas to my game.
“It would probably have been easy to find another squad in England, but I wanted to come and spread my wings a little bit and learn about myself and develop myself. I love football, so I am here to play football and to win stuff. As I said before, I am very ambitious. Whatever happens in the future, happens. But I’m at Roma right now and my main focus has to be doing my best for this club,” added Abraham.