Former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has admitted that he hesitated over a move to AS Roma but has since fallen in love with life in Italy. The Blues academy graduate exited Stamford Bridge in the summer in a £40m move.
He had fallen down the pecking order under Thomas Tuchel and his desire for first team football became more demanding with the club record arrival of Romelu Lukaku. The 24-year-old has since gone on to prove a huge success under Jose Mourinho and his form has seen him included in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the upcoming matches against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
Abraham has scored 23 goals in his first season at the Stadio Olimpico - surpassing the record set by Serie A legends Gabriel Batistuta and Vincenzo Montella. His stunning form for Roma might not have materialised in the first place though, with the striker recently admitting that he originally held reservations over a move away from his boyhood club.
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Speaking with CBS Sports, he said: “At first, when they initially contacted me, I thought to myself, ‘This isn’t for me.' But then, when people explain to your their ambitions, and show that they have faith you and make you feel valuable, that’s when you want to give them everything you can. As soon as I arrived here, I fell in love with this place.”
Abraham’s new found affection for Italy might well prove to be a frustration for his former club, as well as Manchester United. Chelsea managed to write a buy-back clause into the deal that took him to Roma, although that does not become active until the summer of 2023.
Elsewhere, it is reported that the Red Devils are considering making a move for the England man. Italian outlet Il Messaggero, via CalcioNews24, claim that he is top of their shopping list ahead of next term as they attempt to revamp their stuttering attack.
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani are on the wrong side of 30, with the latter expected to leave at the end of the season. Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford has been inconsistent, whilst Anthony Martial has been sent to Sevilla until the end of the campaign.
Abraham’s contract with Roma is set to expire in 2026 after he penned a long-term deal following his Chelsea exit.
