Tammy Abraham says he is ready to end Chelsea's dreadful No.9 curse at Stamford Bridge.
While Gianluca Vialli and Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink had success with it, the iconic number is mainly associated with disappointment at Chelsea.
Somehow Khalid Boulahrouz, Steve Sidwell and Franco di Santo had the number bestowed upon them, while Mateja Kezman, Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, Álvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuaín all failed in West London despite being considered top strikers at different points in their careers.
It's currently vacant going into the new campaign but 21-year old Abraham, fresh from scoring his first goal in pre-season wearing #9 on his back in the 2-1 win over FC Barcelona in Japan isn't onboard with the curse.
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"I'm honoured to wear the No 9 at Chelsea," Abraham told the Daily Mail.
"I spoke to the manager and he asked me if I was ready to take it. I said, 'Yeah, I'm ready' I'm glad he offered it to me. I've heard all the rubbish about the No 9, but I'm here to play my game and do my best.
"Football brings a lot of pressure. It drives me on. It gives me the extra belief. It was my first goal in a Chelsea shirt and now that's out of the way it will be nice to push on and score some more."
Chelsea's squad numbers to be revealed by Frank Lampard closer to the start of the campaign but being offered the No.9 by the new boss is a huge vote of confidence for Abraham.
After scoring 25 goals in 37 games for Aston Villa as they were promoted back to the Premier League, the academy product will be one of many young players to benefit from Chelsea's two window transfer ban and be given his opportunity at the club.
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Is Abraham ready to be Chelsea's first-choice number nine?
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Featured Image Credit:Topics: Gonzalo Higuain, Football News, Bristol City, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Football, Alvaro Morata, Radamel Falcao, Tammy Abraham
