This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
Jose Mourinho Tips Tammy Abraham, Zouma to Shine at Chelsea Next Campaign ¶
Published on August 2, 2019
Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese-born manager, believes that Tammy Abraham and Kurt Zouma will play a key role in Frank Lampard's success at Chelsea in his first year in charge.
According to SunSport, Mourinho, who was fired by Manchester United last December, thinks that the two players will help Lampard succeed despite the club's two-window transfer ban.
Chelsea are still serving a two-window transfer ban and will not be able to sign any players until next summer. However, Lampard will make use of the quality he has at his disposal, with the team participating in all competitions next term.
Mourinho praised Tammy Abraham, who scored 23 goals in 41 appearances for Bristol City in the Championship in the 2016-17 season, saying, 'He's your player, he's on loan, where are you going to buy a better player than him? You already have him.'
He also spoke highly of Kurt Zouma, saying, 'I think every manager in the world loves to play kids from the academy. I think Chelsea is a very special club in relation to that. I just give an example: Chelsea needs a centre-back – Kurt Zouma! You don’t need to buy, you don’t need to spend. Zouma!'
Mourinho also highlighted the importance of giving academy players a chance to shine, saying, 'I think Chelsea is a very special club in relation to that. I just give an example: Chelsea needs a centre-back – Kurt Zouma! You don’t need to buy, you don’t need to spend. Zouma!'
However, The Sun threw shades at Mourinho, highlighting his struggles for giving academy players into his team while at the club. In 2015, Mourinho said, 'My conscience tells me that if, for example, Lewis Baker, Izzy Brown, and Dominic Solanke are not national team players in a few years, I should blame myself.'
None of the players he mentioned have made their country's national team four years on, and Chelsea fans must hope Lampard has more success on integrating youngsters into the first team.
