F365’s early loser: The angst of Alvaro Morata
“Alvaro has to gain confidence with one, two, three goals,” Maurizo Sarri said after another demonstration of profligacy by Morata in Chelsea’s slender Europa League win at PAOK. In the month since, two goals have followed: the winner against Vidi before the Spain centre-forward added the cherry to Chelsea’s cake at Southampton before the international break.
Judging from his performance against United, Sarri underestimated the scale of Morata’s self-doubt. The £58million signing was somewhat surprisingly given a start against Jose Mourinho, the manager who gave him his Real Madrid debut almost eight years ago, but another ineffective display led Sarri to drag Morata off at the time of Chelsea’s greatest need for a goal all season.
Sarri could have put Morata out of his apparent misery at any point before his 79th-minute withdrawal. The centre-forward, who turns 26 this week, touched the ball only once in the United penalty area while failing to demonstrate any kind of chemistry with Eden Hazard or Willian. It was entirely the kind of performance that highlighted why Sarri is supposedly ready to give up on Antonio Conte’s biggest indulgence and one that made it easy to see why Chelsea are looking at replacing their record signing in January, a season and a half after he arrived in London.
Morata looks so short of confidence that it is difficult not to feel sorry for a player who appears to hate his job more with each passing game. Pre-match rumours of his replacement and Sarri’s indication that he started today simply because he was fresher than Olivier Giroud might not have boosted his sensitive mood but, as his rival for the role highlighted, for a top level centre-forward, his is not the most difficult of tasks, nor is Sarri the most demanding of bosses.
“What Sarri asks of me?” pondered Giroud earlier this month. “A good understanding with his attacking players combined with tactical nous. Be the first to do the pressing, and press high to get the ball in the other half.”
As Giroud’s continued involvement suggests, the fact he is not a regular name on the scoresheet matters little. As long as he is performing the duties demanded by Sarri, that’s enough for now.
Morata is doing neither. Whereas Hazard reckons Giroud is perhaps the best target-man in the world, Morata is just an easy target for centre-backs. The Spain international struggles to hold possession and spends more time with defenders at his back looking for free-kicks rather than protecting the ball and feeding the fliers around him. Mike Dean had him sussed, just as most defenders in the Premier League appear to.
Hazard’s preference for Giroud is fair given all seven of the brilliant Belgian’s Premier League goals have come with the France striker on the pitch rather than Morata. But on the rare occasions Hazard isn’t on song, Morata offers no supplementary threat. If he isn’t serving Hazard, then what purpose does he serve?
Álvaro Morata had a lower pass accuracy (80.7%) than any other Chelsea outfield player that started the game vs. Man Utd.
One shot on target during his 78 minutes on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/D1UUbJ2frb
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 20, 2018
Mourinho admitted United’s plan was to nullify Chelsea’s ‘triggers’ – those being Hazard and Jorginho. Ashley Young earned man of the match for getting to grips with Hazard, while Juan Mata carried out his role with typical diligence by denying Jorginho the time to dictate Chelsea’s play.
With the scenic route closed, the direct approach became Chelsea’s most obvious path. And it is hardly as though Sarri’s side are averse to a cross. Prior to kick-off at Stamford Bridge, the Blues had attempted the fifth-highest number of crosses in the Premier League while only Ben Chilwell has attempted more crosses this season than Cesar Azpilicueta’s 38 deliveries, with Marcos Alonso only six behind his team-mate.
In those circumstances, Giroud is the obvious selection. The France forward averages one headed shot per 90 minutes compared to Morata’s 0.25; Giroud wins four aerial challenges per game, comfortably the highest of any Chelsea player, while Morata manages only 2.23.
Morata was not the only centre-forward to struggle in a thrilling encounter at Stamford Bridge. In opposition was Romelu Lukaku, the player Chelsea wanted before they turned to Morata in summer 2017. It was said United won that particular battle, but it doesn’t mean Lukaku is flying for United.
The Belgian, who appears bulkier than ever before, has not come up with a goal or an assist in the seven games since the win at Watford last month, despite playing every minute for Mourinho. Back at the Bridge, Lukaku managed the fewest touches on the pitch – nine fewer even than Morata – yet no player was dispossessed more.
There are calls for Mourinho to give Alexis Sanchez a run through the middle, but Mourinho still has faith in his No.9. Sarri has rather less patience for Morata and the Chelsea striker has probably run out of chances to earn back some long-term trust.
Ian Watson