Wright says Abraham has moved himself into a position where he can’t be ignored

Ian Wright believes Tammy Abraham’s movement was what caught the eye in Chelsea’s 2-0 triumph over Newcastle as the young striker looks to put himself into a position where he can’t be dropped by Frank Lampard.

After a breakout Premier League season with Chelsea under a transfer embargo, Abraham has been ever so slightly shunted down the striking hierarchy following Timo Werner’s summer arrival and Lampard’s desire to also accommodate new signings Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech alongside Christian Pulisic.

However, an injury to the latter and Havertz’s Covid-related absence before the international break has forced Lampard into a tactical reshuffle, switching Werner into a wide-left role and vacating the central area for Abraham.

The 23-year-old has started and scored in Chelsea’s last three games, with the latest at Newcastle on Saturday as he tracked Werner’s blistering run from the halfway line before drifting away from his fellow forward and finishing off the German’s lay-off.

It’s that work off the ball that Wright believes will be so crucial for Abraham re-establishing himself in the first XI, as his talent on the ball and inside the penalty area is unquestioned.

“Some of the movement I saw against Sheffield United wasn’t as great as it was today, as his movement today was fantastic,” Wright said on BBC’s Match of the Day.

“Then obviously at the end, the way he took his goal. What I like about Tammy is the way that he gets on the shoulder, he gets in front of them.

“He needs to attack the back and hit the front. They do make the chances and he just needs to take them.”

Indeed, playing in tandem with such a forceful player as Werner, who can break lines with his pace and power, suits Abraham as he can operate off the German international, as was the case in the north east.

With Olivier Giroud set to leave the club in January and uncertainly over when Pulisic will return, with Chelsea preparing for nine games in the 31 days leading up to the Christmas schedule, Abraham is sure to be heavily involved.