Former Blackpool and Hull City boss Ian Holloway believes that striker Tammy Abraham is good enough to lead the line for Chelsea from next season. Abraham played a key role in helping Aston Villa win promotion to the Premier League this season. The Villains secured entry into next seasons top-flight following their 2-1 victory against Derby County during the Championship promotion-playoff final which was played on Monday.
Though the youngster did not score during the final, he went on to score an impressive 26 goals and register three assists in the second-tier this season. Villa will naturally be wanting to keep Abraham on their books for next season as they prepare to return to the Premier League.
Chelsea may just opt to retain him. The Blues are set to face a two-window transfer ban. While Olivier Giroud is set to remain with the West London club for at least another season, the future of Gonzalo Higuain is uncertain. The Argentine arrived at Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window but has failed to set the League alight. He may be sent back to Juventus this summer. If Higuain departs, the Blues may have to re-integrate at least one of their strikers out on loan into the first-team.
Apart from Abraham, the other options which they have are Michy Batshuayi and Alvaro Morata.
Holloway told the Daily Express: “Thank God they’ve got a transfer ban; who else are they going to buy who’s over 30? Seriously, that ain’t the way to run a football club. If you buy someone who’s over 30 then you’re never going to get your money back.
“I believe, now, he’s proven at Championship level, he’ll go back [to Chelsea] and he will score goals in that top side.
“Particularly a side like Chelsea because they will dominate the ball and create a lot of chances. Put him in the Man City team up front with a number 9 on his back – would he score? Course he would.
“It’s about time Chelsea got rid of these mercenaries coming over there, trying to keep their manager in a job. Build a club, build a team.
“And if you’re not going to do that, stop stacking and racking the best young players around. Let other people have them and let them play.”
