Tammy Abraham vows to end Chelsea’s No 9 curse in Frank Lampard’s new era after downing Barcelona
Wednesday 23rd July 2019
TAMMY ABRAHAM is ready to end the curse of Chelsea’s No 9 shirt in Frank Lampard’s new era.
Abraham returned home this morning from a Japanese tour where Lamps saw hungry young stars eager to seize their chance.
Tammy Abraham is ready to shine as Chelsea's new No 9 - following years of flops
Fifa’s transfer ban means the club cannot buy players — but it will benefit the likes of Abraham and Mason Mount.
And for Abraham, he can succeed where others have failed now Gonzalo Higuain has returned home and joined Alvaro Morata, Fernando Torres and Radamel Falcao as players who failed to live up to their billing while wearing the famous goalscorer’s shirt.
Abraham said: “I’m honoured to wear the No 9 shirt at Chelsea. I spoke to the manager and he asked me if I’m ready to take the No 9 and I said, ‘Yeah, I’m ready’. So I’m glad he offered the No 9.
“Football brings a lot of pressure. It drives me on. It gives me the extra belief.
“I’ve heard all the rubbish about the No 9. I’m here to play my game and do my best.”
Lampard says he learnt a lot about his players during ten days in the gruelling humidity of Japan, where Abraham scored against Barcelona in a 2-1 win yesterday.
They put in double sessions around their two matches and Lampard was able to step up preparations heading into the new season.
He is going with a 4-2-3-1 as his preferred choice of formation, with a diamond as his alternative.
And his youngsters will get their chance to impress if they stay at the club instead of going out on loan. Lampard, whose side lost 1-0 to Kawasaki Frontale on Friday, said: “Both these games have been really good exercises for us for different reasons.
Abraham will have to battle Olivier Giroud for a place in Frank Lampard's starting XI
3
“They are part of the training and part of the work — and what I have learnt about these players is that they are a good, strong group, a determined group.
“Everything that has been asked of them they have done, and more. We have given them a lot so deservedly now they will get a couple of days off.
“Especially some of the things I saw on the pitch against Barcelona . . . I saw quite a lot of signs of the work we have been doing, which is good.”
Against Barca, Abraham had a bizarre first half.
He was belted in the stomach by a Pedro shot, missed a sitter when a rebound fell his way, then opened his Chelsea account with a lovely finish after Jorginho robbed the ball from Sergio Busquets.
Abraham said: “Now the first goal is out of the way it will be nice to push on and score some more.”
Wolves wanted Abraham in January but he stayed at Aston Villa and earned promotion from the Championship — and now finds himself in the Champions League.
Lampard said: “I saw it in the Championship last year, he’s proven that, and now it is his time to prove it for Chelsea.
“Goalscorers need confidence so to get his goal will put him in good stead.
“There is competition. We have been talking a lot about it, and it is vital for Chelsea to show they can be the lead striker for Chelsea — and I have got full confidence in them. But it’s great for Tammy.
“I won’t get carried with anything about this performance, although I am very happy with it.
“But for Tammy, he’s a goalscorer, he’s hungry for goals. That is what I like about his attitude, he always wants to score.”
Michy Batshuayi is also sticking around at Stamford Bridge this season
While Abraham has bagged the No 9 shirt, the No 10 jersey vacated by Eden Hazard is still up for grabs — despite Willian saying he was getting it.
The Brazilian is away on international duty and will arrive back in early August.
Lampard said: “There’s no confirmation of that decision — it will be taken in due course, so it’s not a problem.”
Willian will compete for a place as one of Lampard’s attacking midfielders, although Mount has impressed in the No 10 role in both tour games.
Ross Barkley came on and scored the decisive goal against Barca but it looks like Lampard wants the player he worked with at Derby last season to provide his creative spark.
The new Blues boss said: “Mason has had a great trip, with the energy, brightness and the quality that he has shown.
“And he has been great within the group. He really announced himself for the first-team squad.”
Lampard is also hopeful of N’Golo Kante starting the season despite getting sent back home while recovering from a knee problem.
Lampard said: “I sent him home a few days ago because I just felt that for someone doing their rehab, it is much more beneficial to be back at Cobham with the facilities we have there.
“It’s not a big backwards step that has been taken. We are hopeful that we will be getting him back towards the weekend and he will soon be in a position to join in with us.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.