Revealed: Mourinho’s motivational tactics to get best from ex-Chelsea ace Abraham
Tammy Abraham has revealed that Roma manager Jose Mourinho employs mind games in the dressing room to get the best out of his players.
Abraham came through the youth ranks at Chelsea to graduate into the first team, becoming a regular under Frank Lampard. The arrival of Thomas Tuchel, though, saw him relegated to the bench and ultimately sold to Roma in the summer of 2021.
The England striker has thrived in Italy, scoring 29 goals in 60 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A club, where Mourinho has been in charge for little over a year.
Abraham: Mourinho knows how to speak to players
Abraham admits that the Portuguese as been a positive influence on his football – even if he is short of praise at times.
“Mourinho is one of the best for man management,” Abraham told the Daily Mail. “He knows how to speak to players, the best way to deal with each one. In my case, he never tells me how well I am doing.
“At half-time, I never get a 'Well done' even though in the back of my mind I am thinking: 'You know I'm playing well.' He always wants you to do better.
"Before the Europa Conference semi-final against Leicester last season, he dragged me into a room and said: 'Tam, I don't think you have been good enough'.
"I was surprised because I had scored in the previous game! I asked what he meant and he said he wasn't seeing the Tammy he saw play against Lazio for example.
"It was motivating and I did end up scoring the winner against Leicester."
Roma are presently sixth in Serie A but did lose 1-0 against Atalanta on Sunday. Abraham, meanwhile, has contributed two goals for the capital club in all competitions so far this season.