Morata could miss rest of season with mystery injury

ask me whether he needs a day, a month or the rest of the season, I don’t know. For this reason, I am a bit worried.

‘Players like Morata, for us, are very important and have been missing for a long period of time. We are talking a lot about bad results and forget we are facing a serious situation.’

Morata (right) has not appeared since a red card against Norwich in the FA Cup on January 17 and has not scored since Boxing Day.

His return to fitness has been affected by the death of a friend and he was allowed time off to return to Spain. But the striker has further complicated matters by admitting he would consider a return to Real Madrid. When asked if he would be keen on a reunion if his former side made contact, Morata said: ‘I have to respect Chelsea who have made a great effort for me. And I’m very happy here. But Madrid is always Madrid.’ Conte did not wish to explain why the club sent Michy Batshuayi on loan to Dortmund amid deepening concerns about Morata’s injury. ‘Now the transfer market is finished,’ said Conte. ‘We took a decision and we have to focus on the present to finish the season in the best way possible.’ Christensen, who trained away from the team yesterday, has become crucial to the balance of Conte’s side. Without his pace and composure at the back, Chelsea conceded seven goals in two games against Bournemouth and Watford. ‘I hope to count on him for the game against West Brom,’ said Conte. ‘He is an important player and he is having a fantastic season.’

The Watford defeat intensified the speculation around Conte’s future. But he said: ‘I am not thinking for one moment about going away from this club. I repeat: my commitment is totally for this club, like that of my players.’