Tammy Abraham has what it takes to be a success in the Premier League, according to England Under-21s boss Aidy Boothroyd.
The Young Lions striker has just signed on a season-long loan for Swansea City from Chelsea, having spent the summer with Boothroyd at the U21 Euro Finals, where he was the youngest member of the squad.
And having previously worked with Abraham in his time as England U19s and U20s boss, Boothroyd believes the south Londoner has the potential to prove a hit at the Liberty Stadium.
“His all-round play is very good,” revealed Boothroyd. “He’s an honest, genuine player who wants to do the best that he can.
“You have to drag him off the training ground as he’s the most enthusiastic player you’ll ever meet – he claps himself when he wins a corner.
“He’s a brilliant guy and we know he can score goals but it’s the other stuff that he does for the team which is important.”
Abraham shot to prominence last term after enjoying a fruitful spell on loan in the Championship with Bristol City, where he scored 26 goals over the course of the campaign.
And it was that form which prompted Boothroyd to move him up an age group into the U21s for his games as interim boss against Kazakhstan and Bosnia & Herzegovina last October.
He quickly became a popular figure around the camp, gaining more international experience along the way ahead of the next U21s Euro campaign which starts with a qualifier against the Netherlands in September.
“He’s had a terrific international career in the development teams,” added Boothroyd.
“He was with me and the U19s last year in Germany and he’s managed to push on with his goals and performances for Bristol City to earn himself a place in the U21s squad.
“He has been a key player for us. He’s fearless and he believes in his own ability.”
Those sentiments were also echoed by Stamford Bridge and Young Lions team-mate Nathaniel Chalobah, who has known the striker since they first joined forces in Chelsea’s second string.
“Tammy’s a fantastic player, for me personally, I’ve known him a long time so I’ve seen him grow and improve as a player and person,” said Chalobah, who made his final U21s appearance in the Euro semi-final defeat to Germany last week.
“I remember him first coming to train with the reserves at Chelsea and he was just this really tall, gangly guy but he was so enthusiastic and he had some ability as well.
“I think he deserves all the plaudits he’s getting right now because he works hard and loves playing football so it’s sometimes hard to get him off the pitch.
“He’s a great lad and he thoroughly deserves all the praise he’s getting.”
