Abraham: Chelsea new boys need time to find their best form

Chelsea’s new recruits need more time to develop an understanding with the rest of their team-mates, says striker Tammy Abraham.

Tammy Abraham reacts during the Premier League contest between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, on December 26, 2020. - AP

Chelsea’s new recruits need time to develop an understanding with the rest of their team-mates and a congested fixture list amid the COVID-19 pandemic has not helped the process, striker Tammy Abraham said.

Chelsea spent heavily in the close season to bring in the likes of midfielder Kai Havertz, forward Timo Werner, defender Ben Chilwell and winger Hakim Ziyech but the London club sits ninth in the Premier League with 26 points from 17 games.

Germany international Werner is among those who have come in for sharp criticism due to a dip in form after failing to score in his last 12 games in all competitions, but Abraham said all of Chelsea’s new signings need time to settle.

“We have hardly had any time to train together and to work out how each other play so we’re just taking every day as it comes at the moment,” Abraham told Chelsea’s website.

“Every game we play, we’re learning new things about each other. I’m starting to understand them more and they’re starting to understand me more so hopefully we drive each other and be the best we can be.”

Chelsea, which has lost four of its last six league games, takes on Morecambe in the FA Cup third round on Sunday before a league trip to Fulham on January 15.