MX23RW : Monday, January 13 01:48:54| >> :120:9559:9559:

Fernando Morientes urges Chelsea's Antonio Conte to keep faith with Alvaro Morata

Former Spain international Fernando Morientes urges Chelsea boss Antonio Conte to keep faith with Alvaro Morata.

Former Spain international Fernando Morientes has advised Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to stick by Alvaro Morata.

The 25-year-old was recruited as a replacement for Diego Costa in the summer transfer window last year, but in recent months his goalscoring threat has dwindled.

In fact, the Spaniard, who cost a reported £60m from Real Madrid, has only found the back of the net once in his last 14 outings for the Blues.

Morientes, though, has faith in Morata, and has urged Conte to think the same way.

"When you move to England, everything changes: the football, the culture," Morientes told Yahoo Sport. "I think everyone who makes that move needs a period of adaptation. Spanish players need that, [but] he's a player who can make the fans very happy.

"He has already scored some important goals. Now he's searching for his form after coming back from injury. He has arrived at a very big club and the important thing is that the coach believes in you. I think Alvaro has that. Today, more teams are looking for small, technical forwards, who won't impose themselves in the air, but Alvaro Morata has everything.

"He's quick, he's strong. He's good with his head. He likes being in the area. For a team that normally plays attacking football and creates lots of chances, having a player like him, who attracts the attention of so many defenders, is absolutely brilliant. I think that Chelsea have taken a very good bet on Alvaro and I hope it works out."

In his last 10 appearances, the striker has completed a full 90 minutes just three times.

ID:321906: cacheID:321906:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2663:
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Olivier Giroud in action during the Premier League game between Chelsea and Crystal Palace on March 10, 2018
Read Next:
Giroud: 'Morata my rival at Chelsea'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!