England’s young forwards are creating waves in the European Under-21 Championships in Poland and it has already fetched them rewards in their homeland as well. After Dominic Solanke sealed a move to Liverpool earlier this summer, it is now their second striker Tammy Abrahams who has sealed a season-long loan deal with Swansea City.
The 19-year-old was a priority target for many clubs in the Premier League club before his former youth team coach Paul Clement clinched the deal. After impressing for Championship side Bristol City last term, newly promoted side Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion, who had a close eye on him then, also tried to have him on loan.
Swansea City have made it clear that his arrival at the Liberty Stadium won’t have any effect whatsoever on the future on their star Spanish forward Fernando Llorente. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who was the striker’s former manager at Juventus, had taken a keen interest in him last winter but nothing materialised.
And now with the season over, Swansea are sweating over a deal to keep their centre-forward at South Wales for yet another season following his terrific displays the last term alongside Gylfi Sigurdsson. With the Swans managing to escape relegation on the second last week of the season, Clement is building a squad for a stronger comeback this time.
At 191cm, Abraham is a huge presence up front, which England are making the most use of in their European campaign. He scored a whopping 26 goals and registered four assists for Bristol City last term, proving that the second-tier tournament was too easy for him. And top-flight football will be a real challenge for him now.
He has no place in Chelsea’s starting squad just yet, given his inexperience but the club is expected to offer him a contract extension as he returns from Poland, before joining Swansea. A centre-forward by nature, he can play on the flanks as well. And what sets him apart is his brilliant finishing from in and around the D-box.
His towering figure and cool finishing haven’t taken a toll on his heavy work rate up front, however, and he could be a phenomenal understudy to Llorente. He is an intelligent reader of the game and is obviously a huge threat from aerial duels given his height.
But, Championship and Premier League are completely different leagues and England’s football history is littered with one season wonders. However, with Clement knowing the player in and out, he could be a brilliant addition none the less.
