Roy Keane has praised Tammy Abraham for ‘starting well’ at Roma, despite rumours suggesting that he wanted a move to Arsenal in the summer.
The outspoken TV pundit stated that Jose Mourinho ‘done a good sales pitch’ to lure the Chelsea academy to the sunny climates of Italy rather than stay in his homeland, as he told ITV Sport.
The Athletic did report in August that Abraham wanted to leave Chelsea for Arsenal, but a move didn’t materialise for one reason or another.
Instead, it was Mourinho who pushed for his talents and Roma paid £34 million to sign the England international (Sky Sports).
Keane praised Abraham for the start he has made at his new club and leaving the comfort of his own country.
“He probably spoke to a number of people at the club before he went away,” said Keane. “Mourinho probably done a good sales pitch to him.
“Mourinho has worked with some top strikers. He was guaranteed to get starts over their. New country. Learning a new language. And he’s started well.”
ITV host Mark Pougatch added: “I think the sales pitch was ‘do you want the rain of London or the sun of Rome?'”
Abraham netted for England on Saturday, as the Three Lions thrashed Andorra 5-0 during their World Cup qualifier.
Everyone knows that Harry Kane is the main man up top for England, but it seems as though Abraham might just be second in line because Gareth Southgate did have the chance to select Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
But that perhaps might be down to Southgate wanting to give Abraham minutes instead of Watkins.
Either way, the duo aren’t ahead of Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is currently in the treatment room and couldn’t make the international squad this time around.
Nonetheless, Abraham has four goals and two assists in ten games in all competitions for Roma this season.
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