Chelsea: Tammy Abraham transfer another misstep waiting to happen?

The exile of Tammy Abraham by Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is one of the mysteries of the 2020/21 season. The question is, what causes a manager to bench his best-producing striker when the team is lacking in goal-scoring prowess?

It’s another baffling case of how one manager’s favorite is another’s bench-sitter. It really is an interesting dynamic referred to previously in this space how a change of manager can mean a complete change of fortune for a player(s), even if they happen to be among the best at their positions.

This question has fascinated this writer especially since in the case of Chelsea’s managerial merry-go-round, changes in managers occur often, about every 18 months. With that in mind, it really does raise the question of who should be making decisions on player acquisition, the manager, director of football, the board, owner, all of the above, who?

One thing is certain, major input by a manager (which is almost always looked upon as a positive) is really a path of possible personnel calamity in the longer term. It’s a really interesting phenomenon, yet it impacts the careers of those impacted dramatically either positively or negatively.

In the case of Abraham, it seems to be working negatively at present, at least at Chelsea. Yet, a change of scenery can sometimes do wonders for a player’s confidence, and being on the pitch is a ready cure for some for any real or perceived flaws in their play. This will almost certainly be the case for Abraham who has proven to be a top scorer wherever and whenever he has been afforded the opportunity on the pitch. Bet on the fact that wherever he goes, if in fact, he is inadvisably sent out on a transfer (Note: this must have a buyback clause, thank you) or on loan (Note: no permanent buy option, thank you) he will score. So why not at Chelsea?

For whatever reasons he had, Tuchel imposed a virtual internal exile on Abraham (and others) for whatever his reasons may be. This exile included not only not being a starter, but also not being employed as a substitute or even put in the team at all for certain games. Yet, while not having much playing time under Tuchel, he still remains a top scorer at the side. In 22 Premier League appearances he notched six goals and two assists while bagging a total of 12 and six in all competitions in 32 total appearances. This left him tied with Timo Werner who had 12 goals in 52 total appearances? So, what are the reasons for his almost complete benching when it was clear that the Blues could not finish and matches that should have been put away easily were nail-biting close results?

Fans and observers may never know the real reasons. Yet, when Abraham is bagging goals for whichever side he is sent to (hopefully not in the Premier League) the club will once again rue the day it cut ties with a top young player who has scored anywhere and everywhere he has had the minutes. And, keep in mind that Abraham won’t be 24 years old until October.

This impending move has all the markings of the Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku (and now probably Fikayo Tomori) decisions written all over it. And, if/when Tuchel ultimately is sent elsewhere, the regret for having given up on such a young scoring talent will almost certainly haunt the Blues for years in the future. But, as they say in the US, “it is what it is”.

Yet, hopefully, if the Blues if do mistakenly send Abraham out on whatever the framework, they again will guarantee a buyback clause, or deny any future buy if he is sent out on loan. At least then, they will have the opportunity to redress the error they very possibly are about to make.