Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has told Chelsea fans he was not struggling on the pitch because of his lack of ability, but due to to two main reasons, citing Antonio Conte’s style of play and his injury problems.
The Spain striker did not have the best of seasons at Chelsea during the last campaign, scoring only 11 goals the entire season and four more in other competitions. He enjoyed a brilliant and promising start to life at Stamford Bridge when he scored a few goals at the beginning of the season, including a hat trick against Stoke City.
7 – Alvaro Morata scored seven goals in his first eight appearances for Chelsea in 2017-18, converting 26% of shots. In his 40 games for Chelsea in 2017-18 after this period, he netted eight goals with a 9% conversion rate. Drop. pic.twitter.com/r95S8wBMxe
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 4, 2018
However, following that great start, Morata failed in the second half of the season, scoring only once for the Blues, a goal against Tottenham Hotspur in April.
After a change of manager and a summer break to recharge his batteries, Morata says Conte’s way of playing football did not suit him plus he did not benefit from continuous playtime as he struggled with a severe injury.
“Yes, yes, yes. For me, yes. It’s not for nothing, but for the style of play. It wasn’t my style of play and I suffered a little because of that.
In today’s world, it’s normal that these [critical] things are said,” he added. “Chelsea made a huge effort for me and it wasn’t returned. I should have repaid them double. A player they pay for can’t finish the season with 15 goals.People think we’re machines. If I had stopped for three months, I would have come back with a clear head, but I was professional and I wanted to give everything.
If I could go back, I would stop for two months. I was in pain, I went to Germany to see the doctor, paying for private planes. People believe the false life of Instagram, what it shows you; they thought I was at home with my wife. Someday, I’ll write a book about what I’ve been through.”
Alvaro Morata, BEin Sport
