Chelsea

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri backs Alvaro Morata to hit form

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 17 August 2018

Sarri backs misfiring Morata to hit form

Maurizio Sarri admits that Alvaro Morata is low on confidence but insists that he has no concerns about the Chelsea forward's continuing problems in front of goal.

Maurizio Sarri has given his full backing to Alvaro Morata but also admitted that the Chelsea striker is currently low on confidence.

The 25-year-old scored eight goals in eight competitive appearances at the start of last season, but his form has dipped since, with just three goals in all competitions this calendar year.

Nevertheless, Morata is set to keep his place against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge ahead of ex-Gunners striker Olivier Giroud, and Sarri maintains that he has no concerns about the Spaniard.

"I am not worried about Morata," the Italian told a press conference on Friday.

"Morata is a very great player. I think that, in this moment, he needs only to gain confidence. But he is a great player.

"Maybe, maybe [he is low on confidence]. He needs to score. As all the strikers in the world do, I think. He needs to gain confidence, but he's improving so I'm not really worried about him."

Sarri included Morata in Chelsea's starting lineup for the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City and in the Premier League opener at Huddersfield Town last week.