Abraham fully focused on firing Roma to the final

Tammy Abraham faced the media in Leicester on Wednesday evening, ahead of Roma's Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against Leicester City.

The game at the King Power Stadium gets underway at 21:00 CEST on Thursday (20:00 local time).

Here's what Abraham had to say about the upcoming match...

First of all, you know Leicester pretty well. What sort of game do you think it will be tomorrow? Looking at your record against Leicester, you’ve faced them seven times without scoring … tomorrow would be a good day to change that!

“Of course, playing against a team like Leicester, like the coach said they are a good team.We’ve had a lot of meetings to prepare for this game, so I’m sure my teammates also know what to expect from this game. Leicester are a good team, like you’ve said I’ve only beaten them once and never scored – but as you say tomorrow is the perfect time for me to win and try to score.”

Two questions, if I may. First of all, how are you enjoying working with Jose Mourinho?

“Jose for me is one of the best coaches to ever walk on the planet. For me, he knows how to really drive you. That’s what I really needed. I needed someone who could push me and bring the best out of me. And he is one of those managers who doesn’t have to tell you how good you are, or how good you played – he always wants more. And for me and the rest of the players this is the perfect manager.

You are the top goalscorer in the Europa Conference League. You’ve scored more goals than any other English player in the top five leagues. You have scored more goals in your first season at Roma than any player ever. You wouldn’t want to go anywhere else right now, would you? Because people are circling…

“For me right now to be doing what I am doing for a great club like Roma … I can’t really describe the feeling. Coming off the back of a difficult season at Chelsea where I wasn’t really playing games to coming here and shining again, it’s like a dream come true for me. I’m happy with my football. Of course you hear the little rumours here and there, from different people interested, but clearly for me I am doing the right thing if people are watching. So I give credit to my teammates, the staff, the manager. They have a big part to play in how I am doing and I just want to go all the way and hopefully win a trophy.”

You’ve almost been in Italy a season now. Do you feel you have improved as a player since being in Italy, and in which ways do you think you have improved?

“For me I’ve always been a player that never lacks confidence. From being a young kid I’ve always scored goals and wanted to win. Even when I score in training, I celebrate like it’s a match. So it was all about being in the right place, to bring out the real me. Learning more about myself every day, working hard eery day in training with my teammates. It’s been a good season, but the season is not over yet and we still have important games to play. My focus is on this game tomorrow and to win.”

This is your first game in England with Roma. Could this be a World Cup audition for you as well?

“Of course, Leicester have many good players – good attacking players, English players as well. I’m good mates with James Maddison and a few of the other players, Ademola Lookman as well, so it’s nice to come back to England and to play against an English team. Hopefully I can be the one smiling going back to Rome. My main focus is just helping the team as much as possible and hopefully winning the game.”

Your role changes a bit when you play alongside Nicolo Zaniolo. What changes for you switching between different teammates?

“We’ve had time to play with each other through more games so we’ve had the chance to build an understanding. I understand better what kind of player he is, and he understands the kind of player I am. I think playing with him takes the pressure off me, because he’s strong, he’s fast, he can play in behind or he can play to feet – so it helps me a little bit. I can play my game without worrying, I can be a bit more free. I can be myself and be more free because he takes some of the pressure off me. I enjoy playing with him.”

I was just wondering if there is a feeling in Rome, within the team, that you are the biggest team left in this competition – perhaps even bigger than a third-tier European competition?

“It’s good that you say that, maybe… I think for us we don’t really look at that. We are a good team but there are many bigger teams still in this competition and there were many big teams in this competition. So to go as far as we have is a massive achievement for us. But we are not there yet. Leicester are a massive team too, if you look at their history with winning the Premier League and the FA Cup and other trophies, so they are a big team as well. So I wouldn’t say we are the biggest team left, but if we win it then we will be.”

What has Jose Mourinho done differently to some of your previous managers to bring out the best in you?

“Good question. I think for me it’s all about someone believing in me. The past managers; Frank Lampard gave me the chance and believed in me and showed real faith in me. And that’s when I was producing. And now it’s the same with Jose. He shows belief in me and for me as a player when you have the belief from the manager you want to do the best you can. So it’s just the confidence he gives you, really.”

Journalists in England are starting to write that English clubs want you again. Can you say that you are only thinking about Roma right now? Perhaps in Italian, because we know you know it by now…

“I will speak in English so everyone else can understand… Of course, I was born and raised in England so of course there are many rumours here and there that clubs are interested. But, like I said, I am clearly doing something right at Roma if people are interested. So I just have to stay focused on my football, keep doing my thing, stay focused on this competition and where we finish in the league. We will see what happens in the future. But for now my main focus is on beating Leicester tomorrow.”