Tammy Abraham says he rejected overtures from Nigeria to feature for the Super Eagles because his mind was always set on playing for England.
London-born Abraham ’s decision to reject the country where both of his parents were born paid off when Gareth Southgate rewarded his early season form for loan club Swansea with a first call-up to the England senior squad.
And with Harry Kane an injury doubt, Dele Alli ruled out, Daniel Sturridge not selected and Southgate keen to try out options ahead of next summer’s World Cup finals, the Chelsea striker, Abraham is set to make his debut in the friendlies with Germany on Friday or Brazil next Tuesday.
Tammy Abraham said: “They [Nigeria] did try to roll out the red carpet and it was flattering but I was pretty set on England. I see myself as being a long-term England player. That is where my main focus is and I am 100 percent focused on trying to get into that team.”
Kane had four loan spells before making the breakthrough at Tottenham and Abraham knows he will have to follow the same route in a bid to achieve his ultimate ambition of playing for parent club Chelsea.
After scoring four times in 10 games for Swansea, he said: “Harry Kane’s a player I really look up to. You look at his goals, his finishing and all aspects of his game.
“You look at a club like Chelsea and you know it won’t be easy to get into that team. Sometimes you have to go away, play regular first-team football and show Chelsea that you are ready to play for them.
“The England call-up shows I must be doing something right. It’s up to me to take this opportunity. It would be fantastic to play against Germany and Brazil. It would be a big confidence boost for me and show that I’m going in the right direction.”
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