Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Alvaro Morata Talks Antonio Conte, Premier League Move

Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata has spoken of his desire to one day work with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and had his say on links to the Premier League. 

The striker has been tipped to make a switch to English football’s top flight having returned to Madrid from Juventus last summer and failed to nail down a first-team spot. His initial switch from Madrid to the Serie A side in 2014 was brokered by Conte, although the coach left in the summer to join Italy.

In an interview with the Guardian’s Sid Lowe, Morata expressed regret at not being able to work under the Blues boss but revealed his intent to link up with him in the future.

"I feel indebted to him because he’s the coach that most trusted in me, most wanted me, who made me feel I could perform at the highest level," said Morata of Conte. "And yet I’ve never had the fortune to actually work with him. I’m sure sooner or later I will."

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The striker also revealed that he had offers to move to the Premier League last summer, although Madrid eventually took up the option to re-sign him from Juve.

"I said 'yeah, I’d like to,' that if I had to leave I would almost certainly go to London, but that I didn’t know what Madrid would do," the forward said of the interest. "I knew they’d bring me back, but I didn’t know if it was to keep me or sell me. I spoke directly to Mauricio Pochettino and [Conte], although the norm is clubs call my dad or agent."

Of those managers, it’s clear the Chelsea boss made the most significant impression on Morata, though.

The Spain international said he feels as though Conte was the coach who "bet" on him as a footballer.

"I’m very conscious of that: He bet on me for Juventus but left before I arrived; then he wanted me at Chelsea come what may," the 24-year-old said. "He knows me better than I could imagine, I’m sure, and that’s important: it motivates you to work hard, train well."

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His candid admiration for Conte is unlikely to quell speculation about a summer move. After all, Morata has played a supporting role at the Santiago Bernabeu to the front three of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, making just 10 league starts this term.

However, when he has been on the pitch, he’s done plenty to enhance his reputation, as noted here by Squawka Football:

Although he may not possess the class and composure of the starting front three, Morata is one of the most effective forwards in Spanish football.

He is a very competent finisher and a player with a knack for finding spaces in the penalty area. But his willingness to work the channels, clatter into defenders and make sacrifices for his team-mates make him a very useful option to have in the squad.

They’re attributes that will undoubtedly appeal to Conte, who encourages all of his players to operate with industry and aggression; it’s no surprise the belligerent Diego Costa has thrived under his tutelage this term.

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It’s easy to see Morata doing so too and given he’s unlikely to force his way into the starting XI any time soon at the Santiago Bernabeu, it’d be no surprise to see him on the move this summer. Indeed, Bleacher Report’s Karl Matchett believes the Spaniard has been treated a little unfairly at the Bernabeu:

Morata also hinted that if a bid was to come in from English football, he’d find it tough to turn down.

"I’m very happy at Madrid and they support me,” he said. “But if an offer like that came again and they want to sell, I shouldn’t close doors. I loved Italy but if one day I have to leave, I’m sure it will be to the Premier League."

It’s feasible the Blues will be on the lookout for a new striker in the window. At this juncture a move for Morata would make sense for both parties.

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