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As Tammy Abraham scores goals and begins to look the part in the Chelsea first team squad this season. Parallels are drawn between his career and that of his ‘more senior’ counterpart only 29 days younger; Marcus Rashford.
On the evening of 25 February 2016, Marcus Rashford debuted for Manchester United in an Europa League Round of 16 clash against Midtjylland. The 18-year-old was starting as a late replacement for Anthony Martial who got injured in the warm-up; and marked his earlier-than-expected bow with a brace.
Repeating the trick only three days later against Arsenal, the local lad quickly became a fans favourite. Also scoring against Manchester City as his youthful bite became a rare bright spot in United’s season.
José Mourinho was widely expected to make Rashford a winner and a world class attacker when he replaced Louis Van Gaal the following May. However the Portuguese would favour his blistering pace in a wide role while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku played in Rashford’s preferred central position.
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| Tammy Abraham is showing his goalscoring instincts in the Premier League for Chelsea. Image Credit: Getty Images. |
TammyAbraham on the other hand, made his Chelsea debut in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in May 2016. Also playing in the next game, the final one of the 2015/2016 league season before going on-loan to Bristol City.
He enjoyed a hugely successful first season as a senior professional in 2016/2017, scoring 26 goals in 48 total appearances.
Loan spells at Swansea and Aston Villa followed before Chelsea’s transfer ban this summer forced the blues into giving Abraham a well-deserved chance. 64 goals in 135 career games is exceptional considering the youngster is only beginning his journey at the top level.
He is currently proving he can score in the Premier League with four goals in four games for Chelsea this season. Tammy’s goals against Norwich and Sheffield United have each displayed his finishing ability in and outside the box, as well as his goal poaching.
This form has sparked a tussle between England and Nigeria over his international allegiance.
This form has sparked a tussle between England and Nigeria over his international allegiance.
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| Abraham has been made to work hard in the lower tier of English football. Image Credit: Getty Images |
Abraham’s learning curve saw him go from mid-table championship to an unsuccessful relegation fight in the Premier league then back to a successful promotion campaign at Aston Villa. He had the chance to experience the lower leagues before fighting for a first team place, à la Harry Kane.
While Abraham worked below the radar when Rashford was already under the bright lights of the Premier League; the Anglo-Nigerian is currently proving his goalscoring quality in the top flight, outshining his ‘experienced’ colleague on the same stage.
The winning mentality that Abraham developed in the Chelsea academy, lifting several trophies including consecutive FA youth cups and UEFA Youth Leagues; alongside his experience playing men’s football in the harsh lower leagues; pits him ahead as a more developed all-round football player.
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| Marcus Rashford needs to prove he can lead the line for United this season. Image Credit: Getty Images |
Playing top-class football has developed Rashford’s versatility. 47 goals in 147 appearances for Man. United and another seven goals in 32 England caps at 21 is a very great record.
However his current struggles as the main striker in Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s attack puts Abraham’s emergence into context.
While we already know that Tammy is a keen goalscorer, one bold enough to dorn Chelsea’s number ‘9’ shirt and embrace their goal-scoring burden; we wait to see if Rashford is a great striker or only a very good winger this season.
Bringing young players through from the academy is beautiful, as evidenced by Tammy and Marcus, they must be allowed to properly develop their skill wherever they are.
Bringing young players through from the academy is beautiful, as evidenced by Tammy and Marcus, they must be allowed to properly develop their skill wherever they are.
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