Mourinho praises Nigeria born striker 

Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho has praised the efforts of Nigeria born Roma striker Tammy Abraham following his first six months in the Italian capital, insisting it had 'not been easy' for striker during his Chelsea days. 

Abraham, 24, joined Roma last summer for £34million, ending a 16-year association with the Blues, following struggles to break into Thomas Tuchel's side.

The Englishman opted for a move away having previously found himself behind Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Abraham joined the forces at Roma having been handed an escape route by Mourinho, who knew the striker's qualities from him time in charge at Chelsea.

Since his move, Abraham has established himself as one of the in-form and best strikers in Serie A.

Registering 18 goals in all competitions so far this season, he is the leading English scorer in Europe's top five leagues, which has has earned a recall in the England national side.

Mourinho still believes Abraham has more to offer, however, and has claimed adapting to Serie A has been tough for the London-born star. 

'He is doing well but he can do better. The team needs him to do better. A foreign player who was born raised and done in a different football, in a different society,' Mourinho said.

'It's not easy to leave England but he is doing well. I hope in him but he has the potential to do even more.'

The 24-year-old himself has also claimed it has taken time to adapt to life in Serie A, but insisted he had to leave Chelsea for regular game time. 

'At first it takes a bit of getting used to,' Abraham told Pro Direct Soccer about his early days in Rome.

'But after a while you settle in, find a house and start to explore a bit and try different restaurants. I'm really enjoying Rome.

'Sometimes I get homesick, which is tough, but I'm here for a reason: to do a job. I knew there'd be a point where I'd have to leave Chelsea and go out and explore.

'Now I've come to a different country and learning a different culture and language, I'm really enjoying it.'

Abraham will be in action when Roma take on Hellas Verona at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A on Saturday.