Tammy Abraham talks about working with ‘the best in the world’ Jose Mourinho, watching other England strikers and what the future holds amid rumors of interest from Premier League clubs

Jadon Sancho is living proof that England players can thrive abroad, but that doesn’t make the dive any less daunting for others.

Tammy Abraham joined the growing roster to take that leap as he embarked on a new challenge in Rome, and it turned out to be an inspired decision.

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The striker has settled in well in the Italian capital following a £34m move from Chelsea, scoring 23 goals in his first season for his new club, including a brace in a 3-0 win over Los Angeles. Roma’s fierce rivals, Lazio.

However, Abraham admits he needed convincing to get up and try life in Serie A.

When asked if Jose Mourinho being his manager led to him joining Roma, Abraham told talkSPORT: “It’s [Mourinho] was a factor involved, yes.

“As a young Englishman, I wanted to stay in England. Rome arrived and Atalanta and many different teams around the world, I thought to myself that I wanted to stay in the Premier League and that I had something to prove.

“But my dad, my parents and my agent sat me down and said ‘you scored goals at Chelsea, Swansea and Bristol City, go test the waters, go experience life abroad’. When they were talking, I understood that few players can say that they came out in Italy, in Serie A and in a team like Roma.

“I never back down from a challenge, so when that challenge came up I thought I’m still young, it’s the best time for me to go out there and do it.”

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Abraham produced heroism in the Derby della Capitale which will make him a lifelong Roma hero in the eyes of some fans, but Mourinho demanded more from the player after the game.

Some players may have felt a little discouraged by these comments. It’s clear that Abraham is very happy with the person he’s working with and revealed he also experienced the Portuguese’s difficult methods as a youngster at Chelsea.

He added: “You know that Mourinho is a character that we all know.

“There’s a reason I call him the best manager in the world. He knows how to drive you, he knows how to get under your skin and he knows how to make you feel like a very special player at times.

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“He will never tell you but I always want to do my best for him. He pushes me to do my best.

“When I feel like I’ve done enough, he tells me I need to do more.

“I knew him when I was at Chelsea as a kid, I went to train with the first team and he was always tough on me, he always pushed me to improve – I had the felt like when I was doing something good, he would tell me to do better.

“It’s exactly what I needed, that push and drive, especially after the difficult season I had at Chelsea where I wasn’t playing and getting a lot of playing time.

“Coming here and having a manager like Mourinho to train you, believing in yourself only gives you more confidence.”

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Abraham and Roma still have a lot to play for this season with qualification for next season’s Champions League as they are one of the favorites to win the inaugural Europa Conference League.

However, Abraham will have his eye on him later in the year as he seeks to make England’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar, which kicks off in November.

The 24-year-old revealed he received a congratulatory message from Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate after his two goals against Lazio, and also admitted that, like talkSPORT host Darren Bent, the has done as a player, he keeps a constant eye on how other England forwards are doing that term.

On Southgate, Abraham said: “He messaged me before the international break. I think he watched my game against Lazio, he told me he loved the way I played, he loved my passion and I had to keep that mentality and that hunger.

“It’s good to know you’re recognized even when you’re playing away from England.”

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And when asked by Bent if he compares himself to other England strikers, Abraham added: “Of course!

“It’s just an attacker’s instinct. When you score or don’t score, you always check to see if another attacker scores.

“I even do it in Serie A. If I don’t score a game, I check who the top scorer is.

“It’s the kind of things that motivate you as a striker. You like to see other players, especially England strikers, playing well. Harry Kane is back in form and scoring goals, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is back , Ollie Watkins is doing well.

“It’s inspiring to see other players succeed because it pushes you to do even better. That’s the mentality I have.

“My competition is myself. If I don’t score a game and I don’t play well, I can’t sleep at night, you can ask me miss…what if I miss a chance but I score , I’m still angry because I want to score more.”

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And looking a little further, what does the future hold for Abraham?

Many will believe it is his destiny to return to Stamford Bridge, however, Manchester United and Manchester City have recently been linked with him.

Abraham insists he is fully focused on keeping up the good work at Roma, although he hasn’t ruled out a return to the Premier League.

He said: “When I see reports linking me to other clubs, it makes me feel good, it makes you feel like you’re doing something good. It’s a nice feeling to see your name all over the newspapers.

“But for me, it’s about focusing on my business here. I can continue to be linked to many clubs, but who knows what the future holds?

“Of course I grew up in England, I’m a boy from London. So maybe one day I’ll be back in the Premier League making some noise there.

“But for me right now it’s all about focusing on Rome, doing my best and hopefully winning a trophy for these guys, which they haven’t done for a long time. many years.”