Alvaro Morata Downplays Antonio Conte Link Amid Chelsea Transfer Rumours

Real Madrid star Alvaro Morata has played down speculation linking him with Chelsea, saying Blues manager Antonio Conte hasn't been calling him.

The Italian brought him to Juventus and reportedly wants to do the same in north London, but Morata told AS (h/t Goal's Chris Myson) he's not currently thinking of a move:

"

If Conte is continuing to call me then it will be my old mobile phone because nothing has come to me. He won't have my new number.

I feel good at Real Madrid and that is the important thing. I'm getting goals, I feel important and I have to keep it that way.

I cannot think about next season when we have the most important and hardest part of this season in front of us now.

"

Morata played at Juventus between 2014 and 2016 before returning to Madrid. This year, he's mainly been a backup to Karim Benzema. 

Morata never actually played under Conte at Juventus, as the latter quit before the Spain international completed his move. It was Conte who brought him to Turin, however, while his replacement Massimiliano Allegri reaped the benefits, per Tomas Roncero of AS.

The 24-year-old had a productive spell in Italy and played a big role in Juventus' run to the UEFA Champions League final. Real recognised his potential and brought him back last summer, but after less than a year, another transfer already seems likely.

Manager Zinedine Zidane has stuck by Benzema even when the Frenchman has been in bad form, and Morata has spent far too much time on the bench. Per the Champions League's official Twitter account, the striker has done everything he can to earn more minutes:

With both teams focused on their respective league and Real still active in the Champions League, any talks of a transfer will likely be on hold until summer. 

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