Abraham sings Mourinho’s praises as Roma prepare to take on Leicester City

Tammy Abraham has praised José Mourinho for breathing belief back into his game and described the Roma manager as “one of the best coaches on the planet”, as the Portuguese prepares to take charge of his first game in England since his sacking by Tottenham last year.

Mourinho will attempt to guide the Serie A club to a first‑leg victory against his former protege, the Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers, in the Europa Conference League semi-finals. Abraham will hope to add to his 26-goal tally at the King Power Stadium on Thursday, when the Leicester striker Jamie Vardy could make his first start since sustaining a niggling knee injury last month.

Abraham is the leading goalscorer in the competition and no Englishman has scored more goals this season. “José is for me one of the best coaches to walk on the planet; he knows how to really drive you,” he said. “This is what I needed. I needed someone who could push me and really drive me. He always wants more. For me and the players he is the perfect manager.

“For me it was all about someone believing in me. Frank Lampard gave me a chance, he believed in me, showed real faith in me, and that’s when I was producing.

“It is the same with the coach now. When you have belief from the manager, it makes you want to do the best you can. It is all about confidence really. Coming off the back of a difficult season at Chelsea where I wasn’t really playing games to coming here and shining again, it’s like a dream come true.”

Mourinho conceded his sacking by Spurs six days before the Carabao Cup final last year was “quite unique but Mr Levy is a unique person in football”. Mourinho, who has twice won the Champions League, with Porto and Internazionale, said he does not look down on the