Express
Thomas Tuchel has conceded that he might need to shoulder some of the responsibility for Tammy Abraham’s desire to leave Chelsea this summer, accepting that he could have trusted the striker in more matches.
Abraham is reportedly set to join Roma after the two clubs agreed a £34million transfer over the weekend.
Tuchel scarcely used the 23-year-old after replacing Frank Lampard as Blues boss in January. His form subsequently dipped and he now seems set to head for the exit.
The 47-year-old coach has now admitted that he could have used Abraham more frequently after he handed him just seven appearances.
The German was asked if he could provide clarity over Abraham’s future ahead of Chelsea’s European Super Cup tie against Villarreal.
“Unfortunately not [no clarity]. I will not comment on the situation,” he responded.
“He did some good preparation matches, he was clearly not happy with the last half a year and maybe he has reason not to be.
“Maybe it was also my fault not to push him or trust him, I can absolutely understand that he wants more minutes.”
Abraham scored 12 times last term but 11 of those came under Lampard in the first half of the campaign.
His only goal under Tuchel came in a narrow 1-0 FA Cup win over Barnsley, but Abraham might have had his first major hint that he had no future under the German later in the competition.
The England forward was not included in Tuchel’s match-day squad for the final, which Chelsea lost by the single goal against Leicester City.
He was then excluded from the line-up and 12 substitutes named for the West Londoners’ Champions League final victory over Manches…
