Two years ago, Tammy Abraham joined Bristol City on loan. He had only just graduated from youth football then, and his potential wasn’t well known outside of groups of Chelsea fans who paid attention to those age-group games.
But that breakout season with the relegation threatened West Country side proved to be the making of him, and he banged in the goals as he helped to establish them in the division.
In addition: #nffc do want a striker in. Looking at Rudy Gestede + Tammy Abraham, who remains an #avfc target. Bristol City interested in Joe Worrall on loan but Forest want a large fee https://t.co/nkS1PBz09o
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) August 25, 2018
After such success straight off the bat it was only natural that he would get an upgrade the following season, so he was sent to the tail end of the Premier League to join Swansea. This was to be a less successful move, and in a team that struggled to create any chances; he struggled to finish any of them.
Now reports from people like John Percy at the Telegraph claim that Aston Villa are closing in on his signature for this season. This brings an interesting dilemma in the loan strategy at Chelsea to light.
#avfc still pushing for #cfc striker Tammy Abraham. Chelsea are willing to loan him until at least January but Villa still waiting for agreement ..
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) August 31, 2018
On the one hand, he needs games, and playing in a strong Villa side in the Championship he’s sure to get back to scoring goals and building his confidence again.
On the other hand, what’s the point of that? We already know he can score goals in the second division – he showed he could do that two years ago in a weaker team. What will we learn from Tammy returning to tear up a league he dominated as an 18 year old?
Bordeaux are in negotiations with Chelsea for the loan of Tammy Abraham; the Bleus want a €2.25m loan fee – full story https://t.co/pumxCgvPXe
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) August 31, 2018
It’s the eternal question of the loan system – balancing games and playing time against quality of opposition and teammates. The debate goes on, but in this case, surely a move to a slightly weaker top flight abroad would be the dream? Bordeaux of Ligue 1 have been linked today – wouldn’t that be the perfect compromise? It’s more of a gamble of course, but if he ever wants to play at the top level, he’s going to have to roll the dice eventually.
Even if it goes horribly wrong, there will be no shortage of teams in the Championship still happy to bring him in next season – so why not take this free ball and swing for the fences?
