Alvaro Morata was subbed off after injuring his knee during the first half of Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Vidi on Thursday night. Although Maurizio Sarri says the injury is not serious, he will at least miss this weekend’s game with Brighton. Following Sarri’s decision to not include the Spaniard against Manchester City, has Alvaro Morata played his final game for Chelsea?
Has Alvaro Morata played his final game for Chelsea?
Choice of Games
Despite not playing against City, Morata was involved for their trip to Vidi.
His omission from last weekend’s squad raised eyebrows as Chelsea decided against starting a main striker. Sarri was also unsympathetic towards the Spaniard in his post-match interview. He claimed that it was clear why only one striker was picked. With Olivier Giroud also still unable to complete a full 90 minutes, it was a damning statement towards Morata.
He was also picked to start Thursday’s match, implicating that he was going to be unlikely to start at the weekend.
Chelsea Have Better Options
With Olivier Giroud now completing an additional and unexpected 60 minutes midweek, it poses more questions over who Chelsea can rely on up front until January. If Giroud is to start against Brighton, he won’t play a full match. Without Morata, Chelsea will be forced now to use Hazard, Pedro or Hudson-Odoi up front.
His Last Game?
Morata is now out for at least a week. With only two and a half weeks of the year remaining, his fitness will see him miss the rest of the festive period, especially considering it is a knee injury, which often takes longer to recover from. Morata might struggle to regain full fitness until 2019.
Emerging Rumour
There have been cries for Morata’s Stamford Bridge exit since the summer with many left unconvinced by his first term in English football. Despite showing glimpses of the potential and talent he has, even under new coaching, he has failed to make any sort of impact on the league.
In recent weeks, rumours of his exit have gathered pace. AC Milan appear to be the interested party having also allegedly enquired in the summer.
Chelsea will not receive the money they paid for him due to his poor performances and also that they will be so desperate to offload. Chelsea need a player to replace Morata and a world-class player at that. Therefore, Morata will more than likely be going for a hugely cut-price to raise funds. Morata is now also injured and so that will play a part in his price. Chelsea might be hoping for more than one reason that he is not seriously injured. They need him to be fit enough to pass any potential medical.
There may not be anything concrete regarding these rumours however the expectancy is that he will be offloaded. There is a chance that Morata’s dismal spell at Chelsea is about to come to an end.
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