Morata value makes for FPL forward dilemma

NEW Chelsea striker arrives at a tempting price to challenge Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku for Fantasy affections.

Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata adds to a selection headache facing Fantasy Premier League managers.

The Spanish striker signed a fiveyear deal at Stamford Bridge following his move from Real Madrid and is available for £ 10.0m in FPL.

That is a tantalising valuation that ranks below the popular big-name forwards.

Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku (£ 11.5m) and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane (£12.5m) currently dominate the forward position, claiming 47.1 percent and 34.8 percent ownerships respectively.

But Morata’s price and goalscoring record will likely prompt a rethink.

He joins Antonio Conte’s side on the back of a season in LaLiga that brought 15 goals and 3 assists. They came in only 14 starts and 12 appearances from the bench.

Morata’s underlying statistics are even more impressive.

The 24-year- old fired a shot every 24.3 minutes in 2016/ 17, converting 27.2 percent of his 55 efforts.

That compares favourably with Diego Costa (£ 10.0m) – Chelsea’s first choice striker last season – who recorded a shot every 27.8 minutes, converting 18 percent into goals.

But investment in Morata comes with some caveats.

While Eden Hazard (£10.5m) is set to miss the start of the new season, the Belgian could claim spot-kicks on his return to fitness.

Chelsea’s start to the season will provide Morata with early tests.

They face Spurs (away), Everton ( home) and Arsenal ( home) over the first five Gameweeks. — premierleague. com