Interim England under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd played down comparisons between Chelsea's Tammy Abraham and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford after the Blues academy prospect shone in a 5-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.
Abraham scored twice on his first England U21 start in Walsall, adding to the 11 goals in 14 appearances that have fired his loan club Bristol City up to fifth in the Championship and established the 19-year-old as one of the most exciting young talents in English football.
This prolific start to the season has seen Abraham compared in some quarters to Rashford, who capitalised spectacularly on an injury crisis to break into the United first team under Louis van Gaal last season and is now a full England international -- but Boothroyd insists he sees both youngsters on their own merits.
�� After two goals on his full U21s debut this afternoon, @TammyAbraham spoke to FATV at @WFCOfficial �� https://t.co/PocQZscBAg
- England (@England) October 11, 2016
"Marcus can play down the middle or on the left or the right while Tammy is more of an out and out centre-forward -- somebody else that has been given a chance and has shown what he's all about," Boothroyd said.
"Sometimes that is what it's all about, giving young players opportunities and being brave enough to do it.
"Tammy is proving his worth in the Championship and he is a typical young English player who is talented and has been given an opportunity at a club. He is a good finisher and has a really good, enthusiastic, optimistic outlook on life. He wants to play every minute and is not only a goalscorer, but a team player who puts a shift in for the team.
"You don't know what's around the corner at Chelsea and what they might do. It is that opportunity, the only thing that is really missing. I think he is well on the way to proving that [he is good enough for the Premier League]."
Speaking to the Football Association's official website after the match, Abraham said: "It went perfect for me. The boys knew what we had to do. Obviously we are through so we just had to go out there and give our all. It was a brilliant performance and I'm glad to get my two goals.
"I like scoring goals and that's what I aim to do every time I step out there on the pitch. The boys provided for me today and luckily I got my two goals. I just need to keep getting in those positions and scoring and taking my chances. Every time I'm out there, just keep giving my all for the team."