Tammy Abraham says 'cool' England can go all the way at U21 European Championships

Tammy Abraham reckons England can go all the way in the Euro Under-21s — because the fun atmosphere in the squad is like a playground kickabout.

The Chelsea striker, promoted last month while on loan with Aston Villa, is a veteran of the Under-21 semi-final defeat to Germany in Poland two years ago.

He has pinpointed why Aidy Boothroyd’s squad are confident this time around, insisting they are better prepared to cope with the tension of tournament football.

Abraham, 21, is one of a host of class strikers Boothroyd has to call on, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dominic Solanke, Demarai Gray and Reiss Nelson all vying to start up front and entertain.

Just like Gareth Southgate’s senior squad at the World Cup last year, who had darts, table tennis and inflatable races in the pool, Boothroyd has nurtured a relaxed camp ahead of the first game against France on Tuesday.

Abraham said: “I think one thing that let us down last time was that everyone was a bit too tense.

“This squad are a lot more relaxed, there is a lot more laughing and joking between the boys.

“Don’t get me wrong, we are all deadly serious and focused when we are working, preparing and playing. But the mood around the camp is definitely a lot lighter this time and I think that is a good thing because it helps relieve the pressure.

“I think it’s because a lot of us have known each other since we were very young – and I mean young.

“My first memories of playing football are with the likes of Dominic Solanke, Jay Dasilva and Fikayo Tomori – and now we are all here playing together in this squad. It still feels like I am in the playground having a kickabout with my mates.”

Abraham helped Villa to promotion with a Wembley win last month, and he is convinced that experience will bolster his performances in the next fortnight when any slip-up on the pitch could spell an early exit.

He said: “In the second half of the season we knew we had to win almost every game to have a chance, so we went out to every training session up for it.

“Our attitude near the end was: ‘If we all turn up nobody else can beat us.’ That is the mentality we need to show out here.

“We need to impose that fear factor on others, make them frightened of us and leave everything on the pitch.”

England need to win their group, which also includes Croatia and Romania, to get to the semi-final and Abraham said: “Tournament football is totally different. No amount of friendlies or qualifiers can prepare you for it. The only way you can learn about tournament football is by playing it.

“You can be the best team and still not get through. It can be a set-piece that loses you the game or wins you it. There is not a lot of time to adjust, you have to quickly get into that mindset.”

Abraham is now a Chelsea player again and waiting to see if he has a future there.

He turned down a loan move to Wolves last January to stick with Villa, who have just spent £22million on Wesley Moraes from Club Brugge.

Abraham said: “I want to be in the Premier League but things happen in football and after getting relegated with Swansea I had to pick myself up.

“People were asking if I could do it again in the Championship and I have answered them. I believe in myself, I provided goals and rebuilt my confidence.

“In January all the Wolves stuff came out and it was something I looked at but I am so pleased I stuck with my gut instinct.”