'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the story?
Antonio Conte has reportedly informed Chelsea boss Roman Abrahamovic of his desire to land disenchanted Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata as he seeks to strengthen the Chelsea squad ahead of what promises to be a gruelling 2017-18 season.
In case you didn’t know
Conte and Morata share a happy history, The former managed the latter at Juventus and coaxed the best form anyone has ever seen out of him. Conte had requested for him to be signed up once again at Juve, but since Conte took over the reigns of the Italian National Team that year, Morata had not moved to Turin.
Madrid have also evinced interest in Monaco’s striking sensation Kylian Mbappe and this may limit his role in Los Blancos starting XI further as Madrid’s President Florentino Perez commented "Mbappé and Benzema together? Everything's possible"
The heart of the matter
Alvaro Morata is a massive Real Madrid fan, but he’s reached the realisation that Zinedine Zidane is not fully convinced and the lack of game time may just push the Spaniard out of Madrid. Apart from Mbappe’s possible signing, it has become apparent over the course of the season that Karim Benzema is no.1 in the pecking order. In fact after some decent performances over the past three games, Perez commented: "Karim is the best number 9 in the world. If it was up to me he'd be at Madrid for life. I'm so happy with Benzema".
The Spanish striker
What Next?
Chelsea are reportedly willing to pay 63 million euros for Morata, and since the Madrid club got him from Juve for a little under 30 million Euros, they would be happy to let their Spanish striker go to London. There are talks of a swap deal occurring - as Madrid chase Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, while Chelsea fancy Morata and James. This really could be a busy summer for the executives of the two clubs.
Also, Read – Real Madrid offer Chelsea €160 million swap deal to sign Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois
Author’s Take
Morata shares a great wavelength with Conte, and with him seemingly out-of-favour with both Zidane and Perez, it would be a wise decision to up and move to Chelsea. He would be perfect for Chelsea’s 3-4-3 and would ensure that the Stamford Bridge club have the upper hand whenever Diego Costa throws one of his infamous tantrums.
