Tammy Abraham insists he can use his Premier League stint with Swansea City to prove he can hack it with Chelsea.
The on-loan striker scored his first goal for the club on Wednesday night as the Swans beat Richmond Kickers, 2-1, in Virginia on the squad’s pre-season tour of the USA.
It was a trademark close range finish from Abraham, whose goal-scoring talent is believed to be sufficient to ease some of the burden on Fernando Llorente in the opinion of head coach Paul Clement.
Abraham, 19, joined Swansea last month after signing a new five-year contract with the Premier League champions.
Chelsea seem to deal in more loans than Barclays. Last season, they had 38 players shipped out – with six in the Championship, including England U21 striker Abraham who smashed 23 league goals for Bristol City.
“Of course, it would be lovely to be in the Chelsea first team, but I know that’s not very easy,” says Abraham.
“A couple of my mates are still there are they’re not really getting games. It’s always going to be a big challenge.
“I have to make a statement for myself, and a name for myself, in order to be knocking on that door.
“I would recommend going out on loan, definitely. But every loan is different. You have to know there are going to be setbacks, but be ready for those and learn from them.
“Chelsea monitor all my games. They get in touch and tell me what I’ve done well and where I need to improve.
“I heard that the feedback goes right to the top – so that Antonio Conte knows how it’s going.”
Romelu Lukaku’s £75m move to Manchester United came after he made his name initially on loan at Everton and current fringe players Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kurt Zouma are also set to join the ranks of the borrowed this season.
Abraham’s plan is to make a name for himself in Wales and for his success to echo loudly back to Stamford Bridge.
“The loan players all keep in touch. Most of the boys enjoy it because the fact is they are playing games, which is exciting. Nobody wants to be just training all the time.
“I know that I have ability and I believe in myself. I know that I have the potential to be a big star, but I’m on the first steps of that and I have to be willing to meet any challenge that comes my way.
“I look at Diego Costa and everyone knows him from the way he plays. I’m a different type of player, but I want the same – for people to know me from the way I play, to have that reputation. I want to be one of the best strikers in the world.”
“I gave it my all for Bristol City. I was playing U21s the season before that so it was a step and a challenge. I had to adapt and develop.
“It will be a dream for me to play in the Premier League. But I have learnt a lot from playing against players bigger than me, older than me, stronger than me. It was about adapting, finding your opponent’s weakness and taking that as your own strength.”
Abraham’s talent has already won the backing of some of Chelsea’s current and former players, including ex-skipper John Terry who sent his fellow Londoner a good luck message before Terry’s own move to Aston Villa.
“It’s always a massive bonus if players like John Terry send you a text to say, well done. It just gives you more confidence.
“I believe in myself. I’m only 19 and I know I’m competing with players who have a lot more experience. I have to keep working hard and strive for the top.”