Tammy Abraham says Jose Mourinho has taught him to be a ‘monster’

Abraham left Chelsea to move to the Italian capital in the summer and has hit five goals so far this season for Roma.

Tammy Abraham is standing alongside Jose Mourinho; Credit: Twitter@ASRomaEN
By Karthik Raman | Nov 14, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

England striker Tammy Abraham has revealed that his club – Roma – manager Jose Mourinho has taught him to be a “monster”. Struggling for game time at Stamford Bridge, Abraham left Chelsea to move to the Italian capital in the summer and has hit five goals so far this season. A dip in form for the Italian club has coincided with a dry spell for Abraham, with just one goal in his last eight games. However, the 24-year-old striker’s decision to leave the Premier League seems to work for now, with the frontman getting regular game time. It also looks to be working at the international level, with Abraham involved in England’s thumping victory over Albania on Friday.

Asked what Mourinho had taught him at the Stadio Olimpico so far, Abraham, quoted by Sky Sports, replied: “Just be a monster really! I think one of the things he said was I was too much of a nice player and that you have to show that aggressiveness as you’re getting older as a striker. It’s not always about being nice on the pitch. You need that character, you need that presence to frighten defenders and I think that’s something I’m learning and getting better at.”

‘I just wanted to play football’

“It’s always tough, moving and going to experience a different country and different culture. I felt the sooner I settled in the better, and started learning different types of football and different styles. I’ve gone to spread my wings and hopefully I can keep up the level of performances I need to stay in the team.

“Of course (the World Cup) was in the back of my mind but really I just wanted to play football. For me, it’s still a young career and I just felt I needed to go out and play some games to improve and hit the highest levels and hopefully I can keep striving on.”

In Friday’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Albania at Wembley, Abraham came off the bench to replace hat-trick hero Harry Kane. With nine caps and two goals for England, he will be hoping to be involved when they take on San Marino on Monday night. A draw would be enough to guarantee them a place at next year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Tammy Abraham on Harry Kane

“Yes, of course, I’m always someone who backs myself and believes in myself and you have to be ready because anything can happen in football,” he said when asked if he is determined to become the go-to man to replace captain Kane when needed.

“For me it’s about always trying to be ready. Of course players go through injury and bad spells etc but as a player you have to be ready and that’s something you have to be ready for, whenever the call is and the opportunities come. (Kane is) phenomenal. Everyone is so delighted for him, especially on the bench, every time he scored. It just shows that he’s world-class.

“He got into certain positions where the odds are not in his favour, apparently, but he puts them away like he always does. You know he’s striving and striving and trying to get better every game. He’s someone I really look up to and hopefully he can get many more.”





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