Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has urged the club's supporters to give record signing Alvaro Morata "time" as he adapts to life in the Premier League.
The 24-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge in an initial £58m deal - potentially rising to £70m - this summer and will become Conte's first-choice striker this season following the decision to drop Diego Costa from the squad.
Morata made his competitive debut for the Blues in their Community Shield loss to rivals Arsenal last weekend but only featured in the closing stages before missing a penalty in the shootout.
"He is starting to understand what I want from him during games," Conte told reporters today. "He needs time.
"The striker is an important role. This role is the most difficult to adapt to then the other roles."
Conte went on to reveal that he remains undecided whether to start Morata in his side's Premier League opener at home to Burnley tomorrow.
Morata delivered an impressive return of 20 goals in 43 appearances for Real Madrid last season - including 15 in 26 in La Liga - despite being mainly used as a substitute.
Neil Wilkes
