Alvaro Morata carried his stumbling form first into the media and then onto the pitch at AS Roma. Chelsea need to integrate their record signing into the club tactically and socially if he and the Blues are to succeed.
It’s hard not to see the symbolism in Alvaro Morata’s last few days. After he gave an interview that – rightly or wrongly – gave the impression that he was already eyeing a way out of Chelsea, he put in a completely disconnected and uninterested performance in the Blues’ 3-0 loss to AS Roma. In neither episode did Morata show any particular attachment to the club, let alone the desire to earn the fans’ (or even his teammates’) support via his play or his statements.
Morata was a passenger for Chelsea against Roma. He had only 27 touches, his lowest of the season when starting. Even against Bournemouth on Saturday, who double- and triple-marked him out of the game, he managed 37 touches. No player completed more than four passes to him, and he completed more than four passes to only one player: Eden Hazard.
Nor did Morata look particularly chuffed about any of that. Eden Hazard takes a lot of stick for not “taking the game by the scruff of the neck,” and this often comes up when comparing him to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar. Players in that exclusive class must take control of games regularly, at will and effectively.
But any player can do it, perhaps only just for a day and out of proportion to their talent. Lately, Pedro has been filling that role at Chelsea, putting his considerable talent and energy to good use to inspire and drag his teammates into action. Cesc Fabregas has stepped up from time to time.
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It’s an attribute that justifies a record transfer fee. Yet Alvaro Morata barely showed interest in getting involved, let alone taking control. He showed in his first few games that he can find the goal with his head and both feet, and in a variety of set-ups. His injury derailed his momentum along with his fitness development, which was still shy of Antonio Conte’s standards. Unfortunately, his time away also took a toll on his cohesion and integration with the club.
Chelsea fans are particularly sensitive about Spanish strikers lamenting life in London. Been there, done that, didn’t end well. Ironically, though, it’s what brought Alvaro Morata to Chelsea.
Antonio Conte, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta need to bring Morata into the fold, tactically and socially. Azpilicueta could have his typically outsized but understated role in this, given that he is a fellow Spaniard and has lived happily with his family in London for many years.
Last season – right around this time – when everything was clicking for Chelsea the players’ Instagram feeds were full of dinners out as a team, spending time with each other away from Cobham and away from football. There has been much less of that this season. Perhaps they are wary of being on the receiving end of Garth Crooks-style hot takes about how they need to spend more time training and less time, er, eating and taking pictures. Or, as some speculated during Tuesday’s loss, the chemistry is not there. Not as an XI, and not as a club.
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Chelsea not only need to refresh their tactics and spring Morata from man-marking, but they also need to build their rapport and cohesion. Morata needs to take charge of this aspect of his play and his lifestyle. Both on the pitch and on the town, he must make himself available for his teammates.