It was a solid first season in the Premier League for Chelsea’s 22-year-old striker Tammy Abraham up until the Coronavirus stoppage. While he enthusiastically awaits the restart, he also worries about the possibility of spreading the infection to his family when the league resumes.
Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham Excited and Concerned About Return
Abraham Itching to Return
In an interview with Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail, Abraham first spoke about his desire to return to the pitch: “Everyone wants to come back to football. I love football. It was my first full season at Chelsea, I was having a great season and I would love it to continue.”
But even with strict hygiene protocols in place, he still has his concerns as he lives with his parents and siblings: “My dad has asthma, so if I was to return to the Premier League and, God forbid, I do catch this disease and bring it home it’s the worst thing possible. The last thing I need is to catch the virus myself or be in contact with anyone with the virus.”
Like many other footballers, Abraham finds himself in a tough situation, weighing his desire to play with the health of his family: “If the Premier League does come back, I don’t know what I’d do but the hotel could be an option; to self-isolate away from my family.”
For some players, leaving their families for a month or more is, understandably, not a desirable or acceptable solution. Fortunately for the academy graduate, it is: “I’ve got my dad’s full support for going back. He just wants me to go back. He’s one of my biggest fans,” he explained.
He went on to say: “If they bring back the Premier League then it’s clearly safe enough to do so. If they don’t then it’s clearly not.”
When the Premier League returns, expect Abraham to be out there leading the line for the Blues.
Abraham’s Breakout Year Cut Short
Abraham has enjoyed a breakout season with the Blues, scoring 13 goals in the league and adding another two in the Champions League. And, he’s hungry for more: “I miss football, just miss scoring goals, seeing the fans and being with my team-mates, having a smile on my face.”
In the Premier League, Abraham has averaged a 7.12 rating on WhoScored, which is respectable. But for a young striker wearing the number nine shirt and expected to carry the load of a ‘big six’ club with Champions League aspirations with only a year’s Premier League experience, having been with Aston Villa in the Championship the season before? He’s been phenomenal.
The Premier League received the green light from the UK government to resume after June 1st. At the moment, the league plans to return either the weekend of June 12th or the 19th. Chelsea currently occupy the last Champions League spot, just three points above fifth-place Manchester United with nine matches remaining.
No doubt Abraham will be itching to return, add to his goals tally, and help Chelsea qualify for the Champions League.
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