Abraham on Milan ‘rollercoaster’ and Mourinho-Conceicao similarities | OneFootball

Tammy Abraham admits it has been ‘a rollercoaster’ at Milan and Roma, that he sees ‘similarities’ between Jose Mourinho and Sergio Conceicao, plus advice he gave to Kyle Walker about Serie A.

The former Chelsea striker came to Italian football with the transfer to Roma for €41m in the summer of 2021 and was in the squad that lifted the Europa Conference League trophy.

He then made the switch to Milan on loan in August 2024 on deadline day, with Alexis Saelemaekers going the other way.

“The first thing I said when I came out here was it’s time to spread my wings and try something different,” Abraham told CBS Sports.

“People are realising now there’s more than just being in your comfort zone.”

He is now one of several English players at San Siro, including Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fikayo Tomori and the latest arrival Kyle Walker.

“What brings so many players from England to Serie A is they are not scared anymore, people want to try something different. There is no better place than Italy to learn the culture and the football. Life is good out here, so it’s definitely a good experience.”

Walker made the transfer in the January window from Manchester City, initially on loan, but with an option to buy at the end of the season.

“When Walker called me, it was a clear and obvious answer. I just told him how big a club this is, how wonderful it is, my experience so far. It wasn’t a hard decision,” revealed Abraham.

Abraham riding Serie A rollercoaster

epa09882987 Roma?s head coach Jose Mourinho (C) gives instructions to his player Tammy Abraham during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and US Salernitana at the Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 10 April 2022. EPA-EFE/FABIO FRUSTACI

They lifted the Supercoppa Italiana in Riyadh after a thrilling comeback to beat rivals Inter 3-2 from 2-0 down and will face them again in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

There have been setbacks too, as coach Paulo Fonseca was sacked and replaced by Sergio Conceicao, then Milan crashed out of the Champions League play-offs to Feyenoord.

“There are always going to be ups and downs, it’s about how we overcome this. We wanted to be in a big competition like the Champions League, but sometimes you win and sometimes you lose,” continued the striker.

“This is one of those occasions where we have to learn and get stronger as a team. We have the chance to win another trophy, which we’re fighting to do whenever we can.

“It’s been a rollercoaster, but we’re still here, we are ready to fight and we are AC Milan, so every trophy we should want to win.”

Abraham has worked with some great coaches in Italy, including Jose Mourinho at Roma and Conceicao at Milan.

“Playing with Conceicao and Jose, they both really believe in what they want to achieve. They are driven, hard-working and they want the best from you. They will get it out no matter what,” added Abraham.

“As players, we all need that drive to perform at our best.”

The centre-forward competes with Christian Pulisic on who can learn Italian quicker, but also looks to a potential future as an actor beyond football.

“I’m a winner, I want to win, I believe you live once, so always enjoy your time, try to play with a smile on your face. I am living my dream.”

Abraham on life at Roma, Milan and living the Serie A dream