
Born in Camberwell, Tammy Abraham was signed on to Chelsea's youth set-up at a young age.
Filled with such a plethora of talent, for any Chelsea youth prospect, it's always a dream of theirs to break into the first team.
However, it wasn't going to be easy to get into Chelsea's first team. You'd have to prove yourself out on loan before getting a shot with the Blues, but even then a successful loan move might not have been enough.
-
Abraham's rise through the youth team
Right from an early age, it was clear that Tammy was one for the future. His height and his clever eye for the goal made him a real threat throughout his time in the academy.
Throughout the years 2014-16, in 100 games for the Blues' academy, Tammy scored over 70 goals. Those two seasons were the real impressive seasons for the academy system. The Blues triumphed in the UEFA Youth League and the FA Youth Cup. Tammy was arguably one of Chelsea's standout players in that period.
The talent was clearly there for Tammy, but what would it take to break into the first team?
In the 2015/16 season, Tammy was invited to train with the first team whilst Guus Hiddink was at the helm. The Dutchman gave Abraham his first-team, off the bench, debut away to Liverpool.
It's fair to say that that was the breakthrough Tammy was desperate for. After an impressive season with the academy and a first-team debut at 17, doors were opened for the forward.
-
Tammy's breakthrough campaign
Tammy would spend the 2016/17 campaign with Championship club Bristol City. City have always struggled to find a forward who'd scored 20 plus in a season. It was a huge risk putting their faith in an 18-year-old, but it certainly paid off.
The Englishman would go on to score 23 goals for City and securing the side's place in the Championship the season after, finishing 17th. At the end of season awards, Tammy won the Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Top Goalscorer awards. This was the first time that this happened in the club's history.
After his breakthrough first-team season, Tammy's stock had risen immensely, with many teams chomping at the bit to sign the forward.
Eventually, in the 2017/18 season, Tammy would sign for Swansea. Unfortunately, Abraham struggled for form in a disappointing season for the Swans. Finishing 18th in the league and relegated to the Championship, Abraham managed to score five goals in over 30 appearances.
For the 2018/19 season, the Blues appointed Maurizio Sarri. A brief stint in the Community Shield clash with Manchester City for Tammy meant that there was some hope for the young Englishman.
-
Tammy's red-hot stint with Villa
However, another season away from the club was needed, and ultimately he'd spend the season in Championship with Aston Villa.
With Villa appointing Dean Smith as their manager and former Chelsea great John Terry as his number two, a lot was expected of them. The signing of Tammy Abraham was a great coup for Villa, who's certainly proven in the Championship.
Tammy would have a sensational season, scoring 26 goals in all competitions. As well as that, his goals helped Villa gain promotion to the Premier League after they defeated Frank Lampard's Derby in the Play-Off Final.
A divine, but risky managerial appointment was made by Chelsea last season. After Sarri's sacking, Lampard was put in charge of a much-changed Chelsea.
It was an unfortunate state of affairs for Lampard to say the least. With Chelsea under a transfer ban, the Blues had to settle with the current crop.
-
Lampard's trust in the youth
This was the season for Tammy to impress as Chelsea's frontline woes the season before. Fortunately, the young Englishman finally got his Chelsea breakthrough.
Making his first start against Manchester United, Tammy didn't look back. Scoring his first Chelsea goals in a 3:2 victory over Norwich, Abraham would go on to score 18 times in all competitions, helping Chelsea finish in the Champions League places.
It was a long time coming, but Tammy finally got his dreamed breakthrough with Chelsea. Although Timo Werner was recently brought in, the future does look bright for the young man from Camberwell.

