Tammy Turbulence

Chelsea insider Dan McCarthy with the latest on the young forward's future

The rumour mill surrounding Tammy Abraham has kicked into overdrive over the past few weeks, a circulation of noise portraying the idea that Abraham is unsettled and hesitant to commit to his boyhood club for the long-term future. A lot of what is being reported is true, some of it blown out of proportion.

I spoke to people close to this situation this week to get the latest, yet clearest news on just what Abraham’s situation looks like at this moment.

Currently, the 23-year-old’s contract ties him to the club until 2023 after triggering an automatic one-year extension last July, financially he obtained a small increase on his £50,000-a-week wage. The expectancy with all parties in the last year was for Abraham to sign a more lucrative deal as a reward for his form under former manager, Frank Lampard, however, those talks stalled due to wage demands.

Abraham and his representatives wanted the player rewarded for his significant part in the resurgence of youth at Chelsea under Lampard last season, making the top four and FA Cup final. Abraham’s representatives are also aware of the figures given to other players in a similar situation to their player, such as Callum Hudson Odoi’s lucrative deal, which he signed in early 2020 tieing him to the club to 2024 with a six-figure weekly wage; Abraham feels deserving of a similar contract.

Continuing on the theme of what Abraham’s camp is feeling, I am told Abraham feels “hard done by” with regards to his relationship with Chelsea’s hierarchy. He is wanting the club to show the same faith to him as shown to other academy prospects currently breaking through and solidifying themselves in the first team. Harping back on the hard done by theme, Abraham isn’t best pleased that Chelsea’s pursuit of a new number nine, predominantly Erling Haaland, has become so obvious and intense in recent times.

Regarding Thomas Tuchel, Abraham’s camp are still learning where Abraham fits in his plans for the future. Between Tuchel’s mission to get the best out of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz; of whom the latter has occupied that spearhead role recently, not to mention Olivier Giroud’s big moments this year, it’s hard to see where Abraham can come in. Injuries haven’t helped, with Tuchel even admitting Abraham has been unlucky with the timing of his ankle issues, nevertheless, Chelsea cannot afford to stand still.

The latest news on this situation is that Tammy Abraham and talks between Chelsea regarding a new contract have stalled and are on hold. Between Chelsea’s pursuit of a superstar forward and Abraham’s reluctance to commit his future to the club if faith isn’t shown in him nor patience to develop, this could drag on for a little while yet. Abraham has been advised not to pursue the new deal, as his representatives assess all the avenues present.

With that said, Chelsea as a club love Tammy Abraham and do believe in his abilities to be a success at the club. However, Abraham is very much wanting to be the starting forward at Chelsea and any club he plays for at this point in his career, which may prove difficult in SW6 when you look at the current situation. For Abraham to entertain discussing a new deal once more, assurances of his future under Tuchel, plus faith shown in the financial department would need to occur.

Chelsea are in a strong position, with Abraham tied down for another two years, a low wage output and the fact that any potential suitors would need to negotiate a very good deal with the iron lady that is Marina Granovskaia, who will not look to let Abraham go cheaply. Also, whilst Tammy has admirers and rightly so when you look at what he can offer, clubs aren’t banging the door down as of now, hardly surprising when you consider the effects of COVID-19 on many clubs, and knowing how tough it is to negotiate with Chelsea.

I said a few months back (controversially to many at the time) that Tammy may not be at Chelsea within two years, due to reasons mentioned above. At the time of writing, this ideology only heightens with the more this story rumbles on. Abraham’s first call of duty is to get fit and ready to compete in this squad in the business end of the season; his talking most come on the pitch. Off it, between Chelsea’s pursuit of Haaland and Abraham’s representatives exploring all avenues, Abraham’s future at Chelsea appears bleaker as the weeks pass. However, as we know in football, things can change very quickly.

Written by Dan McCarthy @MaccaSport