Tammy Abraham suggested that Italian football has helped him ‘develop as a player and man’ following his move from Chelsea to Roma.
The 24-year-old English forward joined the Giallorossi last summer from the Blues in a deal worth around €40m and he’s quickly justified that price tag, scoring 17 goals in 37 Serie A appearances in his debut campaign. Abraham has reinvented his career in Italy and carved out a place for himself in the England national team.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Abraham first discussed his motivations after a strong debut year in Italy.
“There is something in me saying I want to do even better. As a character, that’s how I thrive. I look at Erling Haaland who is the most talked-about player in the world right now.
“I use it as a secret motivation, to try to reach that level, hit those targets. Other players’ success, that is what gets me going.”
He remembered the difficulty of leaving Chelsea for Roma last summer and how he’s developed since.
“If you’d told me a couple of years ago I’d be playing in Italy, I wouldn’t have believed you. Leaving Chelsea was difficult, it’s where I’d grown up from the age of seven.
“I didn’t know much about Italian football but it has helped me develop as a player and as a man. I’ve come out of my comfort zone and don’t have any regrets. I love the life and it’s brought out another side to my game.
“At Chelsea, I was viewed purely as a goalscorer. Here, I’ve learned different aspects of the game. If our opponents have more of the ball, I know how to position myself defensively. You have to be more clinical finishing chances because they can be limited.”
The 24-year-old compared the Premier League to Serie A, highlighting their differences.
“They both have qualities that the other one doesn’t. Italian football is very tactical. Teams want to stop you from scoring as much as possible. I think they mainly focus on stopping goals which does make it harder for a striker of course.
“One thing I had to learn quickly was how to win free-kicks. Holding the ball up when your team might need a breather, getting the cheap fouls as we would call them in England. Little things like that, I’ve added.”
The Roma striker spoke about his relationship with coach Jose Mourinho.
“He is one of the best for man-management. He knows how to speak to players, the best way to deal with each one. In my case, he never tells me how well I am doing.
“At half-time, I never get a ‘well done’ even though in the back of my mind I am thinking, ‘You know I’m playing well’. He always wants you to do better.
“Before the Europa Conference semi-final against Leicester last season, he dragged me into a room and said: ‘Tam, I don’t think you have been good enough’.
“I was surprised because I had scored in the previous game! I asked what he meant and he said he wasn’t seeing the Tammy he saw play against Lazio for example. It was motivating and I did end up scoring the winner against Leicester.”
Abraham commented on the increasing number of English players plying their trade abroad.
“People might have been scared of change. Everyone likes to be in a comfortable place but sometimes you can have regrets if you don’t try it. Whatever happens with the rest of my career, I can look back and be proud of playing and living in Italy, experiencing a different life.
“Sancho is a great example. At the time he went to Dortmund, I thought: ‘Why?’ But he did brilliantly and it’s given others the confidence to do it.
“Jude Bellingham followed him to Dortmund, me and Tomori are in Italy. We’re playing well, banging on the door. I believe Sancho opened many people’s eyes.”
He spoke about how it feels to receive a call-up to the England squad.
“Being picked in an England squad is a massive honour. The competition is so fierce, you always have that little thought: ‘Am I going?’ I spoke to Tomori and we were like little kids again when we got the call-up.
“We were shouting down the phone to each other, excited. We know how important it is with the World Cup so close.
“When I work with Harry, I use it as a learning curve. If it’s me and him doing finishing drills in training, I look at his positioning, I try to take traits of it into my own game. He’s a wonderful striker but as a player I had to be ready as well because you never know what will happen.”
The 24-year-old touched on the serious injury suffered by Leonardo Spinazzola at Euro 2020.
“He’s back now and doing well. It’s always difficult when you first come off a long injury. If he’s involved on Friday, it will be good to see him and any other Roma team-mates, and play in a familiar stadium.”
The Roma striker discussed how players cope with pressure in international tournaments.
“We need to block out all the noise and any nonsense that we can blow everyone away. It’s not going to be easy but the best way for us players is to approach matches with a free mind. You can’t perform if you feel under pressure or there is a fear factor.
“As players we thrive when the fans are behind us like they were at the Euros. Of course we were disappointed with that last game against Hungary but in football these things do happen. It is how we bounce back.”
He commented on the difficulties faced by the strikers at Chelsea, from Romelu Lukaku to Fernando Torres.
“I remember Lukaku saying at Inter he is facing the goal more compared to Chelsea, when it is more back to the goal and linking up. It made me think back and compare it to my style of play now.
“The midfield and defenders are so vital for Chelsea, it is a lonely job up front and can be difficult. But I don’t think it’s true to say there is a curse of No9s, there will be different reasons for each striker, and it’s an honour to play for that club.”
Abraham discussed life in the Italian capital.
“I spoke to Chris Smalling before I signed and he told me good weather, good people, good food, good league. He’s not been wrong. Rome is beautiful. I have been around and admired the history. Places like the Colosseum built so long ago.
“The fans are so passionate, everywhere you go it’s either Roma or Lazio — the rivalry is crazy. You can stop at a petrol station and get mobbed, it’s different to London where you can lose yourself a bit more.
“It took a while to get used to but the people are lovely when you see them. You just tend to spend a little bit more time at home!
“I took Italian lessons, I wanted to learn. I recently did an interview which got a good reaction even though it was only a few words. Funnily enough, Chris understands Italian but doesn’t speak it.”
Finally, Abraham gave his thoughts on new Roma star Paulo Dybala.
“He’s talented. As good as he is on FIFA. He brings leadership qualities as well even though he looks like he’s 12 years old! He’s got that experience of winning trophies at Juve which is what we needed.
“It’s good for me personally, we are building that partnership.”