Football News

Alvaro Morata on Chelsea future: “If it was down to me, I would have left a long time ago”

By William Eldridge

Published: 10:46, 28 May 2019

Atletico Madrid loanee Alvaro Morata has revealed he intends to stay in Spain despite the possibility of Chelsea recalling him this summer.

The striker joined the La Liga runners-up in January on an 18-month loan deal after his form at Stamford Bridge failed to impress those at the club and in the stands.

Will Morata stay in Spain? Five things you need to know…

  1. Alvaro Morata joined Chelsea from Real Madrid for £60 million in 2017.
  2. He scored 24 goals in 72 games for the club, averaging a goal every three matches in all competitions.
  3. The 26-year-old scored just five Premier League goals this season.
  4. In January, Chelsea allowed the Spaniard to join Atletico Madrid on loan for 18-months.
  5. However, with the club’s recent transfer ban, they may choose to recall the centre-forward this summer.

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Despite Chelsea remaining his parent employers, Morata has made it brutally clear that he sees his immediate future in football away from the Premier League club.

Asked by reporters whether he is afraid of a recall to England this summer which will take him away from Atletico, Morata replied: “I have been clear that I want to be here.

“It’s not even in my head to leave this club. I want it to be resolved as soon as possible, I’m happy here, I want to be here for all the years I have left as a professional. As long as the people love me and are happy with my work, I want to be here. I have found happiness here, I’m where I want to be.”

Assured of his position, he was then asked if he would like to make his temporary stay at Atletico permanent.

He continued: “If it was down to me, I would have done so a long time ago. It’s what I want, but there are contract matters. We can’t do anything. If it was solely down to me, I would have signed my contract with Atletico. I did everything possible to come here and I will do my best to stay.”

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Morata’s Chelsea career all-but over?

The centre-forward switched from La Liga to the Premier League two years ago when he decided his game time at Real Madrid wasn’t going to be fulfilled, with Chelsea more than happy to take on that demand.

Life in England started ideally for Morata, scoring on his debut for Chelsea in their opening Premier League match against Burnley. In fact, he went on to score six goals in his opening six league matches.

However, that was the best it got for him. He scored just five league goals throughout the rest of the 17/18 season.

Hopes of an improvement this season soon evaporated, netting just five more league goals – his last coming in November – before switching back to La Liga in January.

His refusal to accept that a move back to England could be a possibility for him could backfire if Chelsea do recall him to the squad, a move that may now make life extremely uncomfortable for the two-time Champions League winner.