Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham had a good start to his professional career as a second-half substitute for fellow youngster Bertrand Traoré in yesterday’s game against Liverpool. While Abraham wasn’t able to score his first goal in his first-team debut, he still gave a good impression in his effort to lead the line. The video above doesn’t quite do it justice, as it only shows his on-the-ball touches (ignoring his good movement and runs in-behind the defence).
Using his debut as a kick-start, Abraham expects to get more chances in Chelsea’s first team next season.
“Next season I hope to be more involved in the first team and play more games. Whatever happens happens, but learning from the players at Chelsea is a great experience. If I can get the chance to train with the first team every day, I think it would be a great achievement for me.”
“Every day you get to train with players like Diego Costa and Eden Hazard is another lesson for you. I have to take it on board and try to take it into my game as well.”
“Of course [I’m confident I can make an impact for the senior side after scoring so many goals for the youth sides]. Making my debut at Anfield is going to give me confidence and give me the drive to keep going, keep trying and see what I can achieve.”
The pressure of the occasion could have affected Abraham, but the youngster didn’t seem overawed at all by Liverpool at their home ground. In fact, Abraham coped really well with the situation, despite his lack of experience at the senior level.
“Yes, what a place to make my debut. Great stadium, great fans. It is a great achievement to make my debut against Liverpool. Why did I not look phased by it all? I think you have to deal with it as soon as you get on the pitch, you have to block everything off and play your game.”
-Tammy Abraham; Source: London Evening Standard
Abraham is just one of many talented Chelsea Academy players who could have had a say in the first team this season. While calls for the “yoof” might seem overwhelming at times, debuts like Abraham’s should maintain at least the theoretical possibility that these kids will have a fair chance of making it into the Chelsea first-team in the near future.
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