The Blues boss is keen to ensure his young striker keeps his focus despite an impressive start to the season.
Frank Lampard will be tougher than ever on Tammy Abraham after the Chelsea striker scored a hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over Wolves on Saturday.
"I felt that knowing his abilities and watching him in the Championship have two great seasons and in the Premier League, I felt it was more than time for him to have his opportunity," Chelsea boss Lampard said of Abraham.
"He needed to show it in pre-season and at the start of the season, hence he started at Manchester United.
"I have competition up there. I definitely don't want to down-talk Giroud and Batshuayi because we need them as well and Batshuayi looked sharp when he came on and Oli always gives something of a high level, so it was up to Tammy to show it.
"I've got confidence in him and I'm prepared to give him chances, but even more now I'll be tougher on him because he's shown what he can do. So the moment he wants to come off that and think that goals will just drop at his feet will be a moment when maybe he will be rested, so it's important he makes sure he stays on his game.
Abraham was left out of the England squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo, but Lampard thinks it will be impossible for Gareth Southgate to overlook the Blues youngster again if he maintains his form.
"The way he's going it's obviously going to put him in that bracket, without telling Gareth what to do," added Lampard.
"To score seven goals in three games and be top scorer and play with the quality he's playing in his all-round game - the three different types of goals he scored are exactly what you want from Tammy: a messy one, a good header and then a fantastic feet and finish goal.
"He has to sustain it and he has to get even better. He has to be hungry, which I know he is. He can never rest on his laurels because there is more work to be done and that England squad is a few weeks away. He needs to keep playing at that level and he'll have a great chance, I'd suggest."
Asked if he had talked to Abraham amid reports Nigeria are keen to offer him an alternative route into international football, Lampard said: "No. No, that's not my choice. I know Tammy's been in England squads before and I'm not surprised Nigeria would want him, but that's a question for him I suppose."
jotacinru
97
lampard need to warn Zouma to improve and work hard .not too aggressive .
Ranalops
89
Lampard knows what Chelsea needs give him suport...he never bought any player but building a team based on what he found.its not easy to win other teams bought players yet they're loosing.congrats Lampard
Nwa_Ebonyi
69
come play for Nigeria brother
yuyklrstz
58
Who else noticed that Tomori was celebrating even before Abraham kicked the ball?😜😜😜
Don_Baba
50
We will definitely sign a top central defender come next summer to pair up with Rudiga