The Abraham rumour arrived on Sunday.
I was at home, reading the papers, the cup result covered on page four of the Sunday Times behind the Premier League previews and a feature on Guardiola's tactical evolution. Emma was at the dining table, editing her second podcast episode, her headphones on, her pen in her mouth. The apartment was quiet.
My phone buzzed. Jessica.
"Sky Sports reporting that Chelsea are considering activating the recall clause in Abraham's loan. They want him back for the second half of their season. Conte is under pressure. They need goals. Abraham is scoring goals. The clause exists. They can trigger it."
I put my phone down. I picked it up again. I read the message a second time.
Chelsea could recall Abraham. The loan agreement, which Dougie had negotiated in the summer, contained a standard January recall clause that allowed the parent club to bring the player back with fourteen days' notice.
