By Omobolaji Oyegunle, LONDON
England manager Gareth Southgate has spoken on Chelsea Tammy Abraham amid confusion over the striker’s international future.
Recall that Abraham, 22, was selected by the Three Lion’s boss on Thursday in his squad of 25 for the Euro 2020 qualifiers with Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
But Abraham admitted after the Blues win at Lille on Wednesday that he was undecided on whether to declare for England or Nigeria.
Chelsea team-mate Fikayo Tomori, who is also eligible for Canada and Nigeria, is in Southgate’s squad but the England boss said “I don’t think it’s ethically right just to give a player a cap to make sure they can’t play for somebody else.
“The two boys are in on merit. I’m not going to guarantee they’re going to get on the pitch”‘ and Southgate thanked Chelsea’s Frank Lampard for giving both a chance adding, “We’ve got good players who just need the chance to go and play”.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are hopeful of tying down the duo on long-term deals in the coming weeks.
Tomori has less than two years left on a contract he signed prior to spending last season on loan at Derby. The 21-year-old has started four Premier League games this season and made his Champions League debut in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory at Lille.
Talks are at an early stage but Tomori is set for a significant increaser on his current salary as the Blues seek to reward him and Abraham for their recent form.
The centre-back is keen to stay at the club and has hailed the impact Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has had on his career.
