Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has revealed that the club are expectant that Tammy Abraham will remain on loan at the Villans despite the worrying admission that Chelsea do have a recall option in his contract.
The striker has been a star for Villa this season with 13 goals in 18 appearances – including four in one game against Nottingham Forest – and is already established as a firm favourite among the Villa Park faithful.
There were rumours circulating that Chelsea could recall the 21-year-old in January to cash in on selling him permanently and while Smith has revealed the Blues have that option, he delivered the exciting news for Villa fans that the club are not expecting that to be triggered.
He told the Birmingham Mail: “Chelsea have got an option but we haven’t heard from them. From what we believe, they don’t want to.
“He’s enjoying his football, developing as a player and they seem very happy with him here.”
Opinion
The news that all Aston Villa fans wanted to hear? Quite possibly. The thought of Abraham leaving in January to be sold to another club would have been seriously worrying news for the supporters, who have come to adore what the striker brings to the squad. Losing him would be one thing but seeing him star for another club so soon after his exit would be a whole new level of low for the fans to endure. Still, it seems as though Smith is highly expectant to keep Abraham as part of the Villans’ squad in 2019 and everyone at the club will be hoping he can keep up his red hot form to fire the side into a top six finish. If Villa do seal promotion back to the Premier League and Abraham is allowed to leave Chelsea on a permanent basis, there is no doubt the club will look at making him their marquee signing in the top flight. Considering how well he has been playing this season, the player himself would likely be pretty happy with that deal.