José Mourinho withheld his praise for star striker Tammy Abraham last night despite his goal sending Roma to their first European final in 31 years.
While crying with joy at the final whistle for his team’s remarkable achievement, Mourinho couldn’t completely shake his cantankerous side when he spoke after the match about Abraham.
The former Chelsea and England player has rekindled his career since moving to the Stadio Olimpico, where he has quickly become a cult hero after scoring 25 goals in his debut season.
Against Leicester on Thursday, it was Abraham’s 11th-minute header that proved decisive as Roma won the tie and and set to face Feyenoord in the Europa Conference League final on 25 May.
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Despite all of Abraham’s heroics and his coach’s clear influence on his development, Mourinho refused to sing his praises but while hoping to see the Nigeria born England international give 100%
“Tammy knows, I refuse to speak well of him,” Mourinho said after the game.
Because he can do better and he knows it! He is a great player with the potential to be even greater.
I refuse to praise it! He needs to work that hard in every game, not just when we’re up against Lazio or fighting for a European final!’
For his part, the 24-year-old was modest about his achievement in the historic victory over Leicester.
“My job is to be active in the box,” Abraham told BT Sport. That’s the kind of striker I am.
‘Whenever I sniff out an opportunity, I try to take advantage of it. I’m not the best at heading but today was a pretty good one.
“It was a bit of a surprise, but no matter who is guarding me, if I get a chance, I have to go for it.”