Chelsea striker, Alvaro Morata, has claimed that his former coach, Antonio Conte's tactics were part of the reason he 'suffered' in his first season in the Premier League.
Alvaro Morata with former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte (Picture: Getty)
Alvaro Morata has taken a swipe at Antonio Conte by saying the former Chelsea manager’s tactics were part of the reason he ‘suffered’ last season.
Much was expected of Spain striker Morata when he joined Chelsea from Real Madrid for a fee or around £60million last summer.
The initial signs were promising - Morata scored eight goals in his first nine appearances for the Blues - but he became increasingly frustrated as the season went on.
The goals dried up for Morata after the turn of the New Year and his loss of form saw him left out of Spain’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Morata has shown signs of promise this season under new manager Maurizio Sarri, opening his account with a fine goal against London rivals Arsenal last month.
Asked whether he feels more comfortable at Chelsea with Sarri at the helm, Morata told Cadena SER: ‘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.’
Morata has previously revealed how he used painkillers last season to continue playing for Chelsea despite suffering through injury.
‘In today’s world, it’s normal that these [critical] things are said,’ he said. ‘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.’
Chelsea are yet to drop a point in the Premier League this season, taking 12 points from their first four games of the 2018-19 campaign.