McLeish tips Aston Villa as frontrunners to re-sign Abraham after Telegraph report | OneFootball

Alex McLeish has tipped Aston Villa to be among the frontrunners to sign Tammy Abraham from Chelsea.

The former Villa and Scotland boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the “giant” hitman needed a move away from Stamford Bridge.

As reported by the Telegraph, Aston Villa are exploring the possibility of re-signing the 23-year-old this summer following a fall down the pecking order in London.

The England international scored 26 goals in 40 appearances to fire the Villans to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.

He was a regular under former Blues boss Frank Lampard but has played backup to the starting XI following Thomas Tuchel’s arrival.

The German coach has even left Abraham out of Chelsea’s last two Premier League matchday squads.

As such, McLeish has suggested the 6ft 3in [Transfermarkt] striker needs a move for the good of his career.

McLeish told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge: “I guess the rumours will be pretty prolific with players who are out of the team. There’s a new manager, he’s not getting the same kind of minutes Lampard gave him.

“I saw Tammy playing as young kid for the under-21s playing against Scotland’s under-21s. He was a giant on the field. Not only because he’s 6-foot-something but he was like a man amongst boys.

“I always thought he was capable of good things. He had a good spell at Villa, he’s been great at Chelsea but let’s face it. In the modern-day, it’s much, much easier to leave the club and look for something new.

“Speculation is normal and you would expect Aston Villa to be interested if Tammy was thinking of leaving Chelsea.

“If he’s not getting first-team football and the chance to play for his country goes with that, then he needs to move.”

In other news, McLeish claims agents will be working on a cut-price deal for Ross Barkley after Aston Villa stance revealed.