Football fans urged to respect Abraham’s numbers as striker is tipped to be new Drogba
Prior to his move to Italy, Abraham still managed to net 12 times in 32 appearances in all competitions last season, despite finding starts hard to come by
Chelsea defender Reece James has urged football fans to pay some respect to in-form striker Nigeria born Tammy Abraham as he continues to impress in Italy.
The 24-year-old left Chelsea for £34million last summer to join Roma where he has rediscovered his top form and even a step beyond.
The England international has notched 23 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions - proving he can cut it among Europe's best strikers since his arrival in the Serie A under Jose Mourinho.
The Nigeria born forward opted to make the move away having previously found himself behind Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge last season - with the Blues spending £97million on Lukaku last summer.
It has proved to be the right decision for the youngster, who has been recalled to the England squad. Chelsea right-back and former team-mate Reece James took to Instagram to say: 'Number don't lie. Pay some respect please.' .
Prior to his move to Italy, Abraham still managed to net 12 times in 32 appearances in all competitions last season, despite finding starts hard to come by.
The season before at the Blues he scored 18 goals in 47 appearances in his first full season in the Premier League - having spent a few seasons on loan at the likes of Aston Villa, Swansea City and Bristol City before he has given his chance.
Meanwhile, Pat Nevin believe Abraham’s brave decision to swap English football for the glamour of Italy can turn him into the next Didier Drogba.
But former Chelsea hero Nevin believes that Abraham will eventually return to the Premier League - as a much better player.
BBC Radio 5 pundit Nevin said: “This experience in Italy could really turn Tammy into the next Drogba. The one thing I think that Tammy needed to work on when he left English football in the summer to go to Italy was his physicality.
“There was no doubt about his technical ability. That was there for everyone to see. But he needed to power himself up, make himself more physical - and I think he is doing it out there with Roma.”
But, Nevin added: “I would not be surprised if eventually Tammy wants to come back to the Premier League after this spell in Italy. And he will come back a better player and a more rounded person.
“He has worked under Jose Mourinho out in Rome, and most top strikers who have worked under him love him. Ask Drogba. Tammy is learning that right now.
“I am not surprised Tammy has done so well out there. He is an intelligent boy. I watched some of his games when he was in the Chelsea academy and I marked him out as one to watch. To me at the time he was a more obvious success than Mason Mount or Reece James.”
