Chelsea

Alvaro Morata: 'Antonio Conte style did not suit me'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 20 August 2018

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata claims that the team's playing style under Antonio Conte was one of the reasons behind his indifferent form last season.

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has blamed Antonio Conte's playing style for his underwhelming first season in English football.

The 25-year-old scored just three times in his final 23 appearances of last season, having begun the campaign in promising form with seven goals in his first seven games of the club.

Morata was heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, but he is confident that Maurizio Sarri's footballing philosophy will suit him better.

"For me, it's easy. I could have gone back to Spain or Italy, all the people believe in me there, but I want to change things here. I want to, not for all the haters, but for me and for Chelsea. Chelsea gave me everything that I needed and now I have time to give back all that Chelsea give me," Morata is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"The most important thing is the way we play. Last season it was direct balls and for me to protect the ball in the air is not my best quality. Now I can attack the space, I can play one touch and go in the area for the crosses. It's better for me.

"Sarri works with the ball always and when you always have the ball the strikers have more chances. I want to score more than 30 goals, but I would prefer to score 15 or 20 and get the Premier League or one big trophy."

Morata scored his first goal of the season on Saturday to help Chelsea to a 3-2 victory over Arsenal in their London derby at Stamford Bridge.