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Chelsea youngster Tammy Abraham joined Chelsea’s youth academy in 2004, the same year Drogba was signed for the senior side from Marseille for £24 million.

The 21-year-old forward is now the club’s first choice striker, and he has revealed that Drogba was his idol growing up as a kid.

Per Darren Lewis of the Mirror, Abraham said:

“I have so many stories from when I was younger watching him, growing up watching such a talented striker.

“I’ve always wanted to be like him, always hungry to score goals. Just looking at him he had that appearance about him. And I’ve always wanted to add that to my game. So to follow in his footsteps [as the club’s main striker] is always nice.”

Drogba went on to score 164 goals in 381 games for Chelsea during two separate spells at the club, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League.

Abraham has gotten the chance to replicate what Drogba did for Chelsea, and he has hailed Chelsea boss Frank Lampard for believing in him.

Abraham said: “He’s always believed in me. He’s believed in the youngsters and believed in me. A lot of players have downsides to the game but even when I was going for that little spell, he still believed in me, and that goal mean a lot to me.

“I looked over, I saw him celebrating as well. So I just said to go share my emotions.”