Abraham admits having 'little confidence' before England snubbed - Mourinho hints striker is 'distracted'

AS Roma striker Tammy Abraham has admitted he has been 'lacking in confidence' in recent weeks amid his struggles in front of goal.

Abraham loved life in Italy last season following his summer move to AS Roma from Chelsea.

The striker was one of Jose Mourinho's star signings as around £40m was spent to bring him to Serie A.

The Englishman thrived in his new environment as he scored 27 goals in all competitions to help his side win the Europa Conference League.

Abraham has found life in Serie A more difficult this season, however. He could only score four goals in 19 outings.

He was back on the scoresheet on Wednesday night as he came off the bench to equalize against Sassuolo. Prior to this midweek clash, Abraham was goalless in seven Serie A games.

In recent months, it looked like Abraham was a shoo-in to represent England at this winter's World Cup in Qatar.

But Gareth Southgate didn't include him in his 26-man squad. The coach says a 'bad streak of goals at the wrong time' cost him his place.

Instead of Abraham, Southgate included Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Callum Wilson.

Speaking on Wednesday night, Abraham apologized to Roma fans as he 'hasn't been playing his best' lately.

"Before I talk about the game [against Sassuolo], I would just like to talk to the fans, my teammates, the coach and everyone who supports me," Abraham told Sky Sport Italia (via Football Italia) .

"I know I wasn't the real me, I know I didn't play the best I could, but I'm human at the end of the day. I lacked confidence in me, but today I had to show the fans that I'm still me and I'm still ready to fight for the team and do whatever I can for the team.

"We still have one game to play before the break and after the break you will see a better and stronger me."

Ahead of Roma's midweek stalemate against Sassuolo, Mourinho lashed out at a reporter when asked about Abraham.

The former Chelsea and Man Utd boss has hinted his striker was 'distracted' by the World Cup.

"You should ask him what the problem is. If he's distracted, if he has a problem or if he's thinking about the World Cup," Mourinho told reporters.

He added: "It's not just the goals that we miss, but also playing as a team and winning individual duels around the pitch.

"When you play very direct, you have to win individual duels, and we didn't do that today."

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