Chelsea striker Morata: I want to play for the people, for me and Chelsea, not the haters
Alvaro Morata Photo by Paul Lagan
Alvaro Morata is the second player in a week to come out and be critical of former coach Antiono Conte’s handing of team affairs last season.
Last week Willian confirmed that had the Italian stayed at Stamford Bridge, he would have left.
And now, Morata, who scored in the 3-2 defeat of Arsenal at the Bridge on Saturday said: “I’m very happy because it’s three very important points against Arsenal. Here in the Premier League at the beginning, if you win the first five games, I think you are a fight (for the title). It’s very important because in every match you can lose or drop (points) because every team is against you playing in England.”
Of his own misfiring form from last season to this, he said he was injured but also the tactics of Conte were not good for him.
“When I scored It was a good feeling,” he said.
“The last year has not been a good period for me, and the beginning (this season) too, missing a penalty in the friendly game against Arsenal in Dublin. It seemed like the final of the Champions League. But I always feel the support of the Chelsea supporters, their love. It’s very important for me to keep working and fighting. And I tried to always do my best, keep working to improve and I think this year will be better.”
Was a lack of confidence a problem?
“Probably,” he said. “I think there is a lot of things in the last year, it was very hard for me and not about confidence. The injury was very bad for me and my head too and yeah, probably when the ball went into the net, everything changes. The mind is not blocked anymore. And I hope now to score a lot of goals.
“I think the most important thing is the mode (of football) we play. Last year it was the direct ball to protect the ball in the air and I don’t think that is my best quality. Now I can attack the space. I can play one touch and go in the area for the crosses. I think it is better for me and we play better. We need to improve in little things but I think in this way we are very dangerous against anyone in the world.”
Was there ever a moment in the summer where you thought you could do without all the hassle and leave?
“No, for me it’s easy. I can go back to Spain or Italy. The people believe in me there but I want to change all the things here. I want to, not for all the people, for the haters but me and for Chelsea. Chelsea gave me everything in one moment that I needed. Now I think I have a lot of time to give back. All that Chelsea gave me, and I can’t wait for the trophies and to play.”
With Maurizio Sarri in charge all appears to be calm for Morata, does he see it that way?
“It’s very important for us to improve on little things, but this is normal,” he said.
” We only work for one month with the manager. I think the group is fantastic, like the last year we are working good, and improving, we are very happy because we win.
Sarri has good record with strikers like Gonzalo Higuaín in Italy could he see why?
“He work with the ball always, and when you have the ball, you have more chances and the striker has more chances,” he said.
“But I think its not the most important thing. For sure, I want to score more than 30 goals. But I said before I prefer to score 15 or 20 and get the Premier League (title) or one big trophy. For sure I want to score many goals, but the most important thing is the team. Higuaín did not take the league in Italy (with Napoli) but scored a lot of goals and he is one of the best players in the world – I prefer winning.
“I’m happy. I’m looking to buy a house. I can’t wait for the babies to grow up to put in the school. I’m very happy and its just the beginning of the new season, I can’t think about being not happy.
“I want to change all the thinking about the people, it’s the only reason that I stay here, Chelsea gave me the chance to stay here. Otherwise if Chelsea say ‘You are not in our plans,’ I move but if Chelsea want you I think every player wants to stay at Chelsea.”
