Tammy Abraham aims thin-veiled dig at Chelsea after completing £34m transfer

Tammy Abraham has spoken of his delight after leaving behind the Chelsea substitutes' bench to join Roma on a permanent transfer.

Abraham has joined Jose Mourinho's side on a five-year contract after the Italian club agreed to pay Chelsea £34million (€40m) for his services.

The 23-year-old striker has been desperate to leave the Blues this summer after struggling for game time under Thomas Tuchel.

He netted 11 goals under Frank Lampard's management in 2020/21 yet made just seven further appearances following Tuchel's arrival in January.

Abraham often cut a frustrated figure towards the end of last season and his first words as a Roma player offered a clear insight into the reasons behind his move to Italy.

Tammy Abraham has joined Roma on a permanent deal from Chelsea

"You can sense when a club really wants you - and Roma made their interest clear immediately," he said pointedly.

"Roma is a club that deserves to be fighting for titles and trophies. I've had the experience of winning major trophies and I want to be in those competitions again - so I want to help this team to achieve that and get to the level where Roma should be.

"It's a massive honour to be the No 9 at this club and I just can't wait to get started and to help the team."

Abraham was an unused substitute for both of Chelsea's matches so far this season against Villarreal and Crystal Palace.

Romelu Lukaku's £97.5m arrival from Inter Milan pushed Abraham further down the pecking order and, speaking before last week's Super Cup win, Tuchel admitted overall responsibility for his unhappiness.

"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," the Chelsea manager said.

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Tammy Abraham scored made just seven appearances for Chelsea after Tuchel took over ( Image:

Michael Regan/The FA via Getty Images)

"Maybe it was also my fault not to push him or trust him, I can absolutely understand that he wants more minutes."

According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have made sure the door is kept open for a potential return to Stamford Bridge for Abraham by including a buy-back clause of £68m (€80m) which will become valid after June 2023.

Despite his recent frustrations, Abraham was given a warm send-off by Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.

"Tammy will always be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge as one of our own," she said.

"We have all enjoyed watching his progress through our academy and into the first-team squad, and are grateful for his contribution to our successes at senior and youth level."