Eventually, he will have to perform
Sometimes, footballers do not live up to expectations. There are always a variety of factors at play, some of which will be beyond the player’s immediate control.
Sometimes, they just don’t settle at their new club. Moving to a new city, learning a new language, missing home – factors off the pitch can often derail a player’s performances on it. Chelsea striker Álvaro Morata has spoken in the past about how a difficult period for him mentally prevented him from reaching his best form at Juventus.
But despite a strong start to last season and a lot of patience from the club, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri believes Morata is on his own on the mission to rediscovering his confidence, after a slow, sloppy start to the season.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Sarri said: “Álvaro Morata has to gain confidence with one, two, three goals.”
“I am not able to give him confidence. In this match [against PAOK] he has had three, four opportunities. He was unlucky,” he added.
“I hope for him that in the future I can try to help him, but the confidence can come only with goals.
Sarri was able to take some positives from Morata’s performance on Thursday, though.
“I have to say also, for maybe the first time in this season Alvaro was ready in the box. He was on the ball and was active.”
Before the season started, Morata spoke of being reassured by Chelsea that they had confidence in him to rediscover his best form, amid rumours that he was going to leave the club. His squad number was also changed to 29 in an attempt to lighten the pressure on Morata’s shoulders.
However, the Spaniard has failed to nail down a starting position this season, with Olivier Giroud taking his place and forming a strong relationship with Eden Hazard, who has scored five goals in five games this season.
