MOR THE MERRIER
Alvaro: Only reason I score so many goals is that Conte’s the first coach to believe in me
ALVARO MORATA has thanked Antonio Conte for being the only coach to believe in him.
The Spain striker has enjoyed a stunning start to life in a Chelsea shirt with seven goals in eight games.
Yet at previous clubs Real Madrid and Juventus, Morata spent long spells on the bench.
Now the 24-year-old, who moved from the Bernabeu to Stamford Bridge for £58million in the summer, believes he can make Chelsea fans forget all about Diego Costa, the Spain international team-mate he has replaced.
Reflecting on the faith Chelsea boss Conte has shown in him, Morata said: “It’s the most important thing.
“I came to Chelsea because one club and one coach believed in me. Now I have both of these things and I’m very happy.”
After some underwhelming cameos in preseason and a missed penalty against Arsenal in the Community Shield, Morata was considered too lightweight to succeed goal machine Costa.
But following his early-season goal spree, he is now among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot.
Morata went on: “It’s unreal. In the first match I made a mistake and I suffered for a few days.
“People didn’t appreciate my situation but I showed my character and now things are OK. I hope to continue like this.”
Madrid-born Morata, who scored a hat-trick at Stoke last weekend, netted Chelsea’s equaliser in the 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, helping the Blues to become the first English club to beat Diego Simeone’s battlers in Spain
The goal was created by fitagain Eden Hazard, described by Morata as one of the best players in the world.
Morata said of the Belgian playmaker: “It’s not difficult playing with this kind of player. He’s one of the best in the world and I am lucky to play with him. It was a massive victory.”
Hazard, who gave a man-ofthe-match display at Atletico’s new Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, described the victory as the best Chelsea have had in the Champions League since he joined five years ago.
Atletico have reached two finals and a semi-final in the last four years but Chelsea outclassed them, even if it took a last-gasp strike from Michy Batshuayi to clinch the win.
Hazard said: “I think it is the first time we have beaten a really strong team in the Champions League since I came here. We showed we are a good team and have good players. We should have scored
more than two.”