MY FEAR FOR ASTHMA DAD

TAMMY ABRAHAM is a Sure ambassador. Share your #Movemoreathome videos on Twitter @Sure and Instagram @Surefootball cause. If they bring back the Premier League then it’s clearly safe enough to do so. If they don’t then it’s clearly not.

“As players, we’ve just got to be patient and keep waiting for the clubs, the Premier League, the Government and everyone to come to an agreement.”

Abraham has admitted his concerns for his dad Anthony – an asthma sufferer – but even that has brought its own mixed feelings. They have been watching the Netflix documentary series The Last Dance, about Michael Jordan’s final season at the Chicago Bulls, and his dad used that as the reason to return.

He said: “I’ve got his full support for going back. He’s one of my biggest fans.

“My parents are always there, and he spoke to me at breakfast and said: ‘You watched the Jordan thing, I know you’re motivated to go back to football, when you are ready just go out there and do the best you can.’”

Abraham has been keeping fit with a ‘tech table’ playing against his brother Timmy – on loan at Bristol Rovers – as well as enjoying his mum’s cooking as the family are in lockdown. He has not had the virus but had to self-isolate after Callum Hudsonodoi tested positive.

But that Netflix series has kept the 22-year-old entertained – and inspired. He added: “It’s incredible, just to see how sportsmen can be so motivated and be so driven to be the best.

“Michael Jordan was just before my time, so I didn’t get to watch much of him. Watching this just motivates me.

“There’s one thing that caught my mind. He lost a game and made up things in his head of what someone said to him, and found out that person didn’t actually say it! But he used it to go out into the next game, to drive him into being the best.”

THERE are serious fears over Project Restart for Tammy Abraham – because his father is an asthma sufferer.

The Chelsea and England striker lives with his dad Anthony and the rest of his family and is desperately worried about coronavirus.

Premier League players have been given a presentation about training protocols ahead of a potential return to action, but it has also included a warning for BAME players, asthma sufferers and for those with vulnerable relatives.

Abraham said: “My dad has asthma, so, if I was to return to the Premier League and, God forbid, I do catch this disease and bring it home, it’s the worst thing possible.

“I do feel like the Premier League and the Government have to come to a decision about whether it’s safe for us to do so.

“Everyone has seen what’s going on in the world. If football was to return and nothing is opening, people would look at it in a weird way.

“The most important thing for me is for everyone to be well and safe and for things to start opening up. And then, by all means, football can always come back.”

Abraham did admit that the added threat to BAME players worries him.

“I feel the whole risk to our health, to go out on the pitch is a big thing for me,” he added. “My dad is asthmatic and so I can’t catch the virus or be in contact with anyone with the virus.

“That’s probably the last thing I need right now. If it’s safe to do so, then let’s play – but, if it’s not, then we will wait.”