Chelsea: Alvaro Morata’s conversion rate falls behind Europe’s top scorers
By Dan Clark
Alvaro Morata needs to improve his conversion rate for Chelsea if the Blues are going to have a strong second half of the season.
The Chelsea front man has scored from 16.95% of his shots this term in the Premier league, netting 10 goals: a ratio of one every 143 minutes played. Compared to the rest of Europe, and specifically players who have scored at least five goals, his conversion falls below the average of 19.36%.
Worryingly, he has also missed his 14 ‘big chances’ this campaign. Only Mohamed Salah with 15 has more such opportunities. The entire Chelsea team have only missed 30 overall, with Tiemoue Bakayoko and Eden Hazard the next biggest culprits with three apiece. In comparison, Diego Costa spurned 12 big chances in the entire 2016/17 season.
On a positive note, at least Morata is in the right positions to have a chance of scoring. His movement his excellent, as shown by the number of big chances he has had. Only six players have taken more shots than him this season in the Premier League.
Antonio Conte spoke about the striker after his recent woes in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal, where he missed three separate one-on-one chances:
"He’s young. I repeat I understand for a striker it’s not easy if you don’t score, but don’t forget for Alvaro it’s his first season playing regularly. He didn’t always play with Real Madrid and Juventus. You have to know this. I’m very happy with his commitment and the way he’s playing. He has to stay calm continue to play this way. The goal is coming. – The Independent"
The Chelsea manager often reiterates the need for the team to work, and Alvaro Morata is the epitome of this. He will be spending the majority of time in training on his finishing, specifically with his feet. Six of his ten goals so far have come with his head, so it’s obvious where the problem lies.
All the work in a training environment is great, but it does not replicate a match scenario. Alvaro Morata needs an early goal in a game to bring his confidence back up to scratch. The striker does not have to worry about being dropped, with Antonio Conte clearly not favouring Michy Batshuayi, so he has the luxury of playing his way into form.
Perhaps this is part of the problem. Does Morata feel like he is invincible in the Chelsea starting XI, regardless of his performance levels? This seems unlikely given his work rate, but a more trusted, better quality backup could provide some much needed competition.
Some Chelsea fans have been on the Spaniard’s back in recent weeks and the replies to his tweet directly after the Arsenal game made for unpleasant reading.* Of course, this must be taken with a pinch of salt, as with all things on social media. The support for him at Stamford Bridge has been 100%.
Next: Eden Hazard was wrong to think he could be 'just' a No. 10
Whilst his finishing has been frustrating, Alvaro Morata is a young striker in a new league and some patience will be required before we see the best of him. Chelsea fans everywhere will be hoping Alvaro Morata can find his shooting boots sooner rather than later.
*Editor’s Note: Never read the replies. – GP