Reece James has urged football fans to pay some respect to in-form striker Tammy Abraham as he continues to impress in Italy.
The 24-year-old left Chelsea for £34million last summer to join Roma where he has rediscovered his top form and even a step beyond.
The England international has notched 23 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions – proving he can cut it among Europe’s best strikers since his arrival in the Serie A under Jose Mourinho.
The Englishman opted to make the move away having previously found himself behind Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge last season.
It has proved to be the right decision for the youngster, who has been recalled to the England squad and producing in both the Serie A and the Europa Conference League, while both Lukaku and Werner have fell behind Kai Havertz in the Blues pecking order.
Chelsea right-back and former team-mate Reece James took to Instagram to say: ‘Number don’t lie. Pay some respect please.’
His post came after the former Aston Villa loan star helped guide Roma to a 3-0 win over Lazio.
Victory puts Roma in sixth, eight points adrift of Juventus, who occupy fourth position.
But without the goals of Abraham it is difficult to envisage this group remaining in contention for Champions League football next season.
Abraham’s first on Sunday came inside the first minute when he hooked in from close range after reacting quickest to Lorenzo Pellegrini’s corner striking the crossbar.
That finish, after just 56 seconds, also saw Abraham become only the second Englishman to score in the prestigious derby match, second to Paul Gascoigne in 1992, who played for Lazio.
Abraham’s second came in acrobatic fashion as he volleyed in Rick Karsdorp’s cross.
Mourinho’s side added a third when Pellegrini produced a sumptuous 25-yard free-kick to seal victory – but even with a dominant win over a rival he is dismissive of the top-four pursuit his players are targeting.
Prior to his move to Italy, Abraham still managed to net 12 times in 32 appearances in all competitions last season, despite finding starts hard to come by.
The season before at the Blues he scored 18 goals in 47 appearances in his first full season with Chelsea have spent a few seasons on loan at the likes of Aston Villa, Swansea City and Bristol City.