Chelsea

Antonio Conte: 'Olivier Giroud competition good for Alvaro Morata'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 15 February 2018

Conte: 'Giroud competition good for Morata'

Antonio Conte hopes that Alvaro Morata thrives from the competition for a Chelsea starting spot provided by January arrival Olivier Giroud.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has claimed that the January addition of Olivier Giroud can help get the best out of fellow striker Alvaro Morata.

Giroud was brought in from Arsenal on transfer deadline day and has already made an impression on Blues supporters, playing a pivotal role up top in the 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on his first start.

Following a bright start to life in West London, meanwhile, Morata has gone off the boil and struggled for both form and fitness over the past couple of months.

With Morata now back in contention to start against Hull City in the FA Cup this weekend, Conte believes that the Spaniard may thrive following the arrival of Giroud.

"Alvaro is a player with a good responsibility and a good maturity," he told reporters at Thursday's press conference. "The competition is good for the team. A great team must have competition in every position.

"Giroud is a good option. He is very strong and powerful and he can help us for the rest of the season."

Morata's last goal for Chelsea came eight league games ago in the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.