Former Chelsea forward Shaun Wright-Phillips believes Alvaro Morata has the potential to emulate the showing of Blues favourite Didier Drogba.
The Spain international joined the Blues from Real Madrid during last summer’s transfer window, and he has since scored seven goals in just eight outings for the club.
Speaking exclusively to 888Sport, Wright-Philips was full of praise for Morata, who he feels is doing the right things in his early Chelsea career, he said: “I wouldn’t say that Morata is in Didier’s space now but if he keeps scoring and running in behind and creating chances for others then he’s heading in that direction because he does the same things that Didier did. He runs into channels, he creates chances, and he finishes.”
Earlier in the summer, there were question marks over who could replace Diego Costa efficiently in the Blues’ ranks, and Morata has not disappointed with his consistent showing in the top-flight. The two-time Champions League winner initially started with a series of headed goals for the Blues, but he has since levelled things with a hat-trick against Stoke City using his feet.
The comparison between Morata and Drogba may not match in terms of the physical presence, but the 24-year-old has the ability to run past defenders with his raw pace which often contributes towards a goal. Morata sustained a hamstring injury in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last month, and this could potentially sideline him for a few weeks, although the Blues are yet to reveal the extent of the problem.
In Morata’s absence, Conte may have to play with his backup striker in Michy Batshuayi, although the Italian does not fully trust the Belgian. Batshuayi has managed just two Premier League starts for Chelsea in the space of 12 months, and it will be interesting to see whether Conte will change his mind on the marksman.