Chelsea: Tammy Abraham is the Blues’ X factor in attack

Although Olivier Giroud keeps scoring, it’s Tammy Abraham that is taking the world by storm as Chelsea’s No. 1 option at striker.

When Timo Werner joined Chelsea many months ago, it seemed as if Tammy Abraham’s days were seemingly limited. The English striker broke through the Blues’ ranks after a couple of loan spells at Bristol City, Swansea and Aston Villa. He started off last season in scorching form, but cooled off when the pressure was on, causing Chelsea fans to doubt his ability to be an elite club’s starting No. 9. Werner’s purchase further backed up this thought—or so many believed.

Abraham has shown this season that he’s still a key cog in the Stamford Bridge machine. Regardless of his superb start, there is still a general consensus that there are better options to lead the Blues’ line. Olivier Giroud is in flawless form and although the aforementioned German is struggling, his goalscoring history speaks for itself. A lot of emphasis has also been put on Chelsea’s three wingers, as well. While there’s no doubting their importance in Frank Lampard’s XI, the Blues’ X factor is Abraham.

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There’s no hiding from the fact Abraham has struggled throughout career at certain points. Let’s put some of these slumps into context though. Abraham joined Bristol City on loan at the age of 18 after making some substitute appearances for Chelsea under Guus Hiddink. He made 41 appearances and scored 23 goals for the Championship club, earning him a temporary move to Swansea the next season. Still just 19, a young Abraham found himself struggling heavy in the Premier League. This was no fault of his own though, the Swans were relegated later that season after struggling to create chances all year. The five goals Abraham scored in 31 games during his debut season in the English top flight highlighted the lowest point of his career—everything has been up from there.

After lighting up the second division at 21 years old, Abraham broke into the Chelsea first team, and you know the rest. Despite his love for the club and genuinely good performances, many were quick to write him off as his form dipped. For some ungodly reason, fans expected him to return from Aston Villa a finished product, capable of contending for the Golden Boot right away. That was never going to happen; Abraham has a lot of development left to this day.

The most famous—and best—striker in club history is undoubtedly Didier Drogba; do you know where he was at Abraham’s age? Drogba was playing for Ligue 2’s Le Mans and Ligue 1 relegation side Guingamp, where he scored a combined 32 goals in 109 appearances. Abraham has 159 matches under his belt in the top two divisions of English football; he’s netted 74 goals during those years. That in and of itself is enough to make supporters stop and think for a second.

Further, Abraham can best be described as a sponge. The English No. 9 has worked with some of the world’s best target men already throughout his career. He occasionally practices with Harry Kane in the national team and trains alongside Olivier Giroud daily. Abraham continues to improve his game and this is because of his adept football mind and the fact he soaks up all of the knowledge of his colleagues.

Abraham brought a strong shooting accuracy and poaching ability to the table with the Blues last season. It’s evident already this year though that he offers a lot more. The 23-year-old has made visible improvements to his off-ball movement and hold-up play, things he likely learned from working with Kane and Giroud. This has allowed him to progress his play and make himself one of the first names on the teamsheet in important games. While Giroud may be in the goalscoring form of his career, Abraham’s still managed to fend him off in primetime contests because of his versatility.

The young striker simply makes those around him better. He possesses the ability to pick up the ball anywhere near midfield and drag defenders with him, leaving pockets of space unoccupied in the final third for his teammates to run into. This skill undoubtedly makes those around him better. It’s proven one of the best ways to get production out of Werner, who has scored four goals in the nine games the Blues have lined up with the German playing to Abraham’s left. Christian Pulisic is another attacker who reaps the benefits of playing with the England international. The American has found the back of the net six times when playing with his striking counterpart (compared to the two goals when playing with Giroud).

Abraham’s productivity is not sacrificed as a result of the good form of others though. This is perhaps the biggest difference between he and Giroud. Abraham has eight goals and six assists on the season, whereas the Frenchman has nine goals and no assists. Giroud may score goals better than anyone else on the team, but he’s a one-trick pony in this regard. The grizzled veteran is excellent in the air and fantastic at muscling his way into space inside the penalty area, there’s no denying that. Since Abraham added proficient off-ball runs to his repertoire and that elevates him above the other forwards. He stretches defenses and pulls players out of position—a lot more than Giroud can say.

Abraham’s resiliency must be commended. Some strikers would roll over and demand a transfer in today’s day and age if their club signed someone like Werner. Abraham saw it as a challenge though. He’s fought for every minute on the pitch and his work has paid dividends. Abraham is nearing undroppable status on Europe’s largest stages due to his ability to make those around him work harder and play better. His do-or-die attitude and persistence rubs off on his teammates and for these reasons, Abraham is perhaps the biggest X factor on the roster.

What’s your preferred front three for the Blues? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!