Rio Ferdinand believes Tammy Abraham is showing that he is "made of the right stuff" after he scored his first goal in the Champions League for Chelsea.
The striker netted in the 22nd minute on his 22nd birthday against Lille, helping Chelsea to a 2-1 win in France as the Blues got their first points in the Champions League this season, following a 1-0 defeat against Valencia in their opening game.
And Ferdinand likened some of Abraham's play to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, with the former Manchester United defender heaping praise on the 22-year-old.
“I saw elements in Tammy’s game that I haven’t seen as much as I would have liked to before," he said, speaking as a pundit on BT Sport's coverage of Chelsea's game against Lille.
"His hold-up play, coming to the ball, bringing others into play. There were some balls that came into him that were Didier Drogba-esque.
“I think he’s developing nicely, he’s scoring goals, he’s scoring different types of goals and I think he’s a threat. This touch here, when this ball comes to him, it’s a magnificent touch because it’s not the perfect ball. He adjusts his feet beautifully and the finish, the calmness to do it like that.”
Meanwhile, Ferdinand spoke of how impressed he has been at the journey Abraham has been on, having spent time out on loan at Bristol City, Swansea City and Aston Villa in recent seasons.
“Do you know what I love about him? When he was at Chelsea, scoring goals for fun, they had Dominic Solanke and everyone was in the house thought he was better than him," said Ferdinand.
“He’s had to go out on loan, he’s had to go and prove himself at various clubs in the Championship, he’s had to show people ‘I’m made of the right stuff’.
“He’s come back and yes, he has been fortunate in the sense of the transfer ban but again, character. You can have all the ability in the world but if you don’t have the character, the nous to see a situation and say ‘I’m going to take that’.
“He’s doing that and he’s improving game by game, going strength to strength.”
