Tammy Abraham looking to justify his decision to choose England over Nigeria against Germany and Brazil

The Chelsea striker, on loan at Swansea City, has played for England under-18s, under-20s and under-21s

Abraham is hoping to make his England debut against either Germany or Brazil (Getty)

Tammy Abraham is relishing starting his senior international career this month after choosing to play for England over Nigeria, where his parents are from.

The Chelsea striker, on loan at Swansea City, has played for England under-18s, under-20s and under-21s and has now been called into Gareth Southgate’s senior squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Germany and Brazil. That means he will not be playing for Nigeria, despite an approach from the Nigerian Football Federation, who have had success in persuading other English-born or English-raised players to represent them.

But Abraham said that his youth career and his Premier League role made him determined to represent England.

“I see myself as being a long term England player,” Abraham said in a St George’s Park press conference on Monday afternoon. “That is where my main focus is and I am 100 per cent focused here to try and get into that team. My main focus is here.”

Abraham admitted that the Nigerian interest was “flattering” but that it was always his decision to play for England.

“I was pretty set on England really and playing in the Premier League meant it would be nice to play in the England team as well,” he said. “That was my main focus. It was flattering, but for me, my main focus was here. It was nice to know I was doing something right, and going in the right direction.”

Abraham, like Ruben Loftus-Cheek, got his chance after leaving Chelsea on loan to play more Premier League football and he hailed the benefit of playing regular first team football to further his career.

Abraham has been in great goalscoring form this season (Getty)

“It shows to me that I’m heading in the right direction, doing the right things and now I’ve got this opportunity I’d like to make the best of it,” he said.

“Of course it’s difficult for young English players, it’s the best league in the world. But in the Premier League you’re also playing against the best players and it’s good to have that competition. For me, it’s nice to have that competition because every time I go out there trying to be the best I can.”

Ian Wright has praised Abraham recently and the youngster said he hoped to follow the Arsenal and England legend. “He was a bit before my time,” Abraham said, “but I watch his videos on YouTube and he had everything as a striker. There are parts of that I need to bring into my game as well.”