DISMAYED IN CHELSEA

WARNOCK BLASTS REJECTED TAMMY LOAN BID AHEAD OF CITY’S STAMFORD BRIDGE TEST PLUS BLAKEY ON ‘WORLD CLASS’ OPPONENTS

NEIL Warnock has revealed he tried to sign Tammy Abraham on loan this summer and has accused Chelsea of showing a lack of class as the move fell through.

The Cardiff City boss was chasing a striker in the final days of the transfer window and had made Abraham, who spent last season on loan at Swansea City, his number one target.

The England international was reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League new boys, but Chelsea blocked the move and the Bluebirds were left to rue a missed opportunity.

Instead, Abraham dropped down into the Championship a few weeks later.

And Warnock revealed the truth behind his top summer target as his Bluebirds prepare to take on high-flying Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Warnock told the Evening Standard: “I wanted Tammy Abraham from day one. I spoke to Eddie Newton (Chelsea’s loan player technical coach) about it, but he ended up at Aston Villa.

“It might have been because our deadline was three weeks before the Championship’s.

“Perhaps they weren’t sure at the time and then he ends up leaving at the end of the month, when only a move to a Championship club is possible. But even then, a phone call would have been better and shown a bit of class.”

Abraham did not seal a loan move away from Stamford Bridge until the final days of the Football League’s loan window, switching to Aston Villa on a season-long deal.

But Warnock – who also targeted Danny Ings on loan from Liverpool – would have guaranteed the 20-yearold playing time in the Premier League.

He also said Cardiff were willing to pay the required funds to add to their striking options.

The veteran boss added: “Tammy would have been my main man in the Premier League – surely that would have been better for him? I don’t understand it. Surely they would want him playing in the Premier League?

“I don’t think it was a question over the size of the loan fee – we would have paid it. I just the felt the way we played, he would have enjoyed it and had an impact. I missed out on a few players waiting for him too, which disappointed me. But that’s life.”