Hungarian champions Vidi forced Chelsea to break a sweat at Stamford Bridge in order to claim a narrow 1-0 victory in Group L of the UEFA Europa league on Thursday.
The hosts dominated possession as tough Hungarians held to a goalless scoreline at the interval against a much changed Chelsea side. Maurizio Sarri has had enough of it near the hour-mark when he introduced Eden Hazard to boost his attacking options and Chelsea scored a winner 16 minutes later, in the 70th minute, through Alvaro Morata.
The Spanish striker fluffed a number of first-half opportunities but did well to half-volley the ball home following Willian’s clever flick.
Football romantics across the globe would have been pleased to see Alvaro Morata score his second goal of his Chelsea career. Tears in his eyes as a sign of relief, however, are not enough to change the notion (up for debate) that Alvaro Morata simply isn’t good enough. For Chelsea at least.
Alvaro Morata joined Chelsea last summer from Real Madrid for an initial fee of £58 million. The Spaniard made a positive start to last season which was followed by months of frustration that spilled on to the entire team, to an extent that was just enough to hide the fact Alvaro Morata is not fit to wear a Chelsea shirt.
With Antonio Conte out of the picture, Alvaro Morata’s fragility (mental and psychological in the first place) and inadequacies are on full display.
The anguish from his debut season at Chelsea carried over into the new campaign as Morata struggles to make an impact under new boss Maurizio Sarri. One goal in the Premier League and his last night’s strike against Vidi serve as a testament to a wasted investment.
Alvaro Morata spent four of Chelsea’s 14 games this season sitting on the bench. Two goals from the total of 512 minutes of action are not near the expected goal ratio Chelsea re hoping to get off of their striker.
The 25-year-old Spanish striker is putting in plenty of effort and is trying to do well for his club which the average of 7.5 shots in two Europa League games and two when it comes to the Premier League but the results are still not there.
Opta pointed it out nicely, showing that Alvaro Morata scored his first Europa League goal of the season with his 14th shot – and only the second on target.
14 – Alvaro Morata scored his first Europa League goal of the season with his 14th shot and with only his second on target. Breakthrough. pic.twitter.com/Ktq1Mf1NMi
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 4, 2018
The fact Alvaro Morata lack a ruthless edge is the biggest problem for a newly-designed attack-minded and always-going-forward Chelsea.
Morata is struggling with confidence since his final months at Juventus and is struggling to find the mental strength needed to survive the brutal demands of the modern-day football. At 25 years of age, Alvaro Morata will be forced to grow mature really quickly and develop into a world-class footballer.
At this moment in time, however, Chelsea can’t afford to wait for him. Maurizio Sarri has offered words of support for his second-choice striker after what became a tearful night for Morata but the Italian was brought to bring instant success to the Stamford Bridge outfit and Morata would better start looking for new surroundings.
The Blues have launched an early Premier league title challenge and sit at 10/1 betting odds to lift the trophy.
Maurizio Sarri continues to shape Chelsea to his own image and if there’s anything we learned from his Napoli days is that Blues need a trusted focal point upfront.
A roaming midfield and a free-flowing style of play need an anchor upfront, and Chelsea will require a reliable man who will convert whatever he gets served of a plate. Alvaro Morata (or Olivier Giroud) can hardly be called a world-class entity and that’s one aspect of the game Maurizio sari will look to solve after strengthening the midfield line with his trusted soldier Jorginho earlier this summer.
Who do you think would be the best centre-forward option for Chelsea?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
