Loan release clause for Tammy – based on games
CHELSEA starlet Tammy Abraham CAN be recalled from his Swansea City loan spell this January – but only if he stops being part of Paul Clement’s plans.
Champions Chelsea agreed a season-long loan deal with the Swans for the England Under-21 striker in the summer.
And the 20-year-old has made the most of his first taste of regular Premier League action, grabbing four goals in his first eight games, including both scores in a much-needed 2-0 win over Huddersfield at the weekend.
The match-winning display earned high praise from pundits and peers as it was placed in contrast with the struggles of Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.
The Belgium striker – once a Liberty Stadium transfer target – has failed to find the net in the league this season with Chelsea counting the cost of injury to summer signing Alvaro Morata.
It’s seen former England striker Ian Wright insist he would prefer Abraham to Batshuayi in the Chelsea line-up and Blues fans claim Atonio Conte let the wrong striker leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Now, with reports claiming Conte is ready to ship out Batshuayi in January, it’s prompted fears from Swansea supporters their top scorer could be whisked away in the winter transfer window.
But while Chelsea DO have a release clause in the agreement with Swansea, it can only be activated if Abraham does not hit an appearance target by the end of the calendar year.
And it is understood that the titleholders cannot enforce an early end to the year-long deal without that trigger.
The option is in place more for the player’s benefit to ensure his loan stay in Swansea sees him gain the game time Chelsea are keen on to see the hugely-promising striker develop.
Although the appearance marker for that clause to come into play is not known, it is believed Abraham – who has featured in every one of Swansea’s ten league and cup outings so far this term – is already well on the way to ensuring he will remain at the Liberty for the full campaign.
And it is believed that even if the frontman was kept out of contention though injury between now and January, there is understanding that discretion would be used to make sure it doesn’t unfairly affect Swansea’s wish to hold onto the young talent.
As a result, there is every confidence at Swansea that they will be able to call upon Abraham’s services for the entirety of the current campaign.
Abraham, himself, is keen for the Swans to press on after breaking their Liberty Stadium duck.
“We changed our formation to press them,” he said. “We believed in each other and we believed in the coaching and we gave a good performance out there.
“We know we are a good side. It was just a matter of time before we started to perform.
“We believe in each other. We had to show that on the pitch and keep fighting for a result and show we are a good team.”
Clement had demanded his side up their work-rate and intensity and rediscover the selflessness that had helped them clamber clear of relegation danger last term.
“I have said to the players that we look at performances from all different facets and we have needed to be working harder for each other,” he said.
“It does not guarantee that you win - Bournemouth run more than most teams but are in a difficult situation - but on this performance I did not need to look at the statistics, I could see it with my own eyes.
“We were shutting players down, getting up and down the pitch. That’s what it is all about.”