Frank Lampard on Nigeria and England battle for Tammy Abraham

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has given his opinion on the two way battle between Nigeria and England for the services of his striker Tammy Abraham.

Born Kevin Oghenetega Tamaraebi Bakumo-Abraham to Nigerian parents in London, Tammy has featured for the English cadet teams.

The 21 year old sparked rumours of dumping England for Nigeria when pictures of him and the NFF chief, Amaju Pinnick, who is said to be a family friend was making the round.

Although the Chelsea striker had featured for the three Lions in international friendlies, he is still eligible to play for Nigeria since he never played in a competitive game for England.

With his form, scoring seven goals in three games, his stock has risen and there is no way England manager will overlook him having overlooked him for England’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.

“The way he’s going it’s obviously going to put him in that bracket, without telling Gareth what to do,” says Lampard.

“To score seven goals in three games and be top scorer and play with the quality he’s playing in his all-round game – the three different types of goals he scored are exactly what you want from Tammy: a messy one, a good header and then a fantastic feet and finish goal.

“He has to sustain it and he has to get even better. He has to be hungry, which I know he is. He can never rest on his laurels because there is more work to be done and that England squad is a few weeks away. He needs to keep playing at that level and he’ll have a great chance, I’d suggest.”

Nigeria are not giving up on their son as they are also pushing to get him.

Asked if he had talked to Abraham amid reports Nigeria are keen to offer him an alternative route into international football, Lampard said: “No. No, that’s not my choice. I know Tammy’s been in England squads before and I’m not surprised Nigeria would want him, but that’s a question for him I suppose.”