Chelsea news: Tammy Abraham insists England was always first choice over Nigeria
TAMMY ABRAHAM insists he never considered turning his back on England for Nigeria.
Posted Tuesday, November 07, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk
Tammy Abraham has been called up to the England squad for the first time
The striker, who is in Gareth Southgate's squad for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil, has represented England through the development sides but also qualified for Nigeria through his parents.
His dad is a close friend of the president of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick.
And several weeks ago he said he was hopeful Abraham would switch allegiance and wanted to start the process of applying to FIFA to transfer his registration.
But Abraham insists this wasn't the case and that his long-term goal was always to remain with England, where he was born.
Nigerian football bosses tried to tempt Abraham by vowing to make him their main man, but he wasn't interested.
Abraham said: "I see myself as being a long term England player. That is where my main focus is and I am 100 per cent focused to try and get into that team.
"I was pretty set on England really and playing in the Premier League meant it would be nice to play in the England team as well.
"That was my main focus. The interest was flattering but my main focus was here.
"It was nice to know that I was doing something right and going in the right direction.
"They tried, but like I said, the main focus was England."
Abraham, 20, has scored four goals in 10 appearances for Swansea this season after joining them on loan from Chelsea.
He admits his role model is Harry Kane, who ironically he could replace in the team to face the Germans on Friday with the Spurs striker nursing a leg problem.
Abraham added: "I feel like I'm ready but it won't be easy. I will have to keep proving to the manager why he picked me and working as hard as I can.
"Harry has shown the whole world how good he is. He's a player I really look up to.
"You look at his goals, his finishing and all aspects of his game and he's someone I look up to.
"This is just the beginning. Now that I am here I have to keep pushing as much as I can.
"This is my chance and I will try and take my opportunity as much as I can."
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