Mourinho advices Tammy to switch his allegiance to Nigeria in response to England snub

ROMA'S head coach Jose Mourinho has advised striker Tammy Abraham to consider switching his international allegiance to Nigeria if his fine form is not getting him into the England team.

Currently in fine form with Serie A side Roma, Tammy, 23, burst on to the scene with Chelsea in the English Premier League a few seasons ago, which got him a call-up to the England national team. Now playing in Italy  where he is managed by former Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester United manager Mourinho, Tammy has had a great start to the season.

However, the striker is finding it hard to break into the England team despite his good form, as he is way down the pecking order. Despite being an England youth international and having featured in a few games for the senior team, Tammy remains eligible to represent Nigeria as his parents are Ijaws from the Niger Delta.

Mourinho said: “I am trying to create a monster of a forward for Gareth Southgate, the England manager. Unless he doesn’t have proper eyes and still opt not to call him up with the England national tam, then I would suggest for Tammy Abraham to switch countries as he deserves more caps under his name.”

Abraham has so far scored twice for Roma since his arrival from the Premier League. He has played six times for England, three were mere friendlies and he has scored a goal.

Tammy's father is close friends with Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick and on September 21 2017, Mr Pinnick claimed that the striker had switched his allegiance to Nigeria. However, Tammy issued a statement the same day denying the claim and reaffirming his availability for England selection and upon receiving his first England call-up in November 2017, he stated that there was never any prospect of him choosing to play for Nigeria.