Just a few weeks ago, Jose Mourinho made a promise to Gareth Southgate and urged him to once again call up Tammy Abraham for international duty if he has "proper eyes". Last night, Abraham not only earned a recall to the national team but also started and scored his first goal for England in about two years.
In September, ahead of a match in the Serie A, José Mourinho was reportedly quoted as saying "I am trying to create a monster of a forward for Gareth Southgate,
"Unless he doesn't have proper eyes and still not call him up with the England national team, then I would suggest for Tammy to switch countries."
His promise sounded like a long term project but just days after he made the promise, the striker is already back in the England lineup and back among the goals.
**Tammy Abraham
The last time Tammy Abraham was called up for international duty was in November 2020. One would have to go back a year further for the last time he scored for the national team.
This time last year, Tammy Abraham looked on course to making England's Euro 2020 squad as he was Chelsea's starting striker under Frank Lampard. However, with Thomas Tuchel taking over the helm of affairs at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea academy graduate found minutes very difficult to come by, and thus lost his England spot for the Euro.
**Tammy Abraham's (l) playing time drastically reduced under Thomas Tuchel (r)
During the summer transfer window, AS Roma was one of a number of clubs interested in his signature. José Mourinho wanted him, did everything to land his signature and got what he wanted.
Abraham's form since he joined AS Roma has been fantastic. He has scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists in 10 appearances in all competitions.
With his 3 assists so far this season, it is clear that he is already adding to his game in Italy under the tutelage of the special one.
**José Mourinho (l) and Tammy Abraham (r)
When the special one says he is going to make a monster of a striker out of Abraham, the first name that readily comes to mind as an example is the great Didier Drogba.
Abraham's physical strength and his heading ability were two of his weaknesses before heading to Italy. Winning 100% of his aerial duels against Andorra in last night's FIFA World Cup Qualifier shows some progress in that aspect. His link-up play is also getting better and better, proven by his assists record so far.
If Mourinho is able to improve Abraham to anywhere close to Didier Drogba's level at his prime, then Southgate could have a deadly weapon in his hands for a long time.
**Gareth Southgate
The striker is already on his way to becoming what Mourinho wants him to be and if he humbles himself and keep learning under the serial winner, Chelsea will definitely come back for him when his buy-back clause is activated two years from now.
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