Thomas Tuchel insists Tammy Abraham has the ‘spirit’ and ‘ambition’ to succeed at Chelsea – but admits young striker is set for ‘one of the toughest challenges you can face’ with club keen on more firepower

Tammy Abraham, who scored the only goal in the FA Cup fifth-round win at Barnsley on Thursday, will have two years left on his contract at the end of the season and, at 23, a decision to make about his future.

His progress has stalled since a prolific start to last season with chances limited by the arrival of Timo Werner, and Chelsea will pursue another striker when the summer transfer market opens.

‘He deserved to play at Barnsley,’ said Tuchel. ‘It’s a good new start for him to step up and show that he is important for us.

Abraham scored 15 goals last season when Frank Lampard responded to a transfer ban by putting his faith in a crop of the club’s academy graduates.

He has 12 so far this season, more than either Olivier Giroud or Werner, who should have recovered from a dead leg in time for Monday’s game against Newcastle.