In his second coming with Juventus, Álvaro Morata has found his feet. He is a player demonstrating all the hallmarks of his optimum level.
Álvaro Morata in Fine Form at Juventus
Álvaro Morata the Globetrotter
The striker has been somewhat of a nomad during his career. Having started life in the Real Madrid academy, he found a rich vein form with 45 goals in 83 appearances. This lead to a call up to the first team where his goals became more sporadic. The striker scored just ten times in 37 games for Los Blancos.
This didn’t deter rivals showing interest and, ultimately, it was Juventus who swooped in for him to secure his services. Two years followed with 15 goals and a Champions League final appearance, and runners-up medal. It led him to London and Chelsea where he struggled for goals. Although he started in a rich vein of form with seven goals in this first eight league matches, his form tailored off from Christmas onwards. He reached just 16 Premier League goals over two seasons in the Premier League.
Atlético Madrid Recuperate Álvaro Morata
Once again, his low ratio of goals would not pose threats from outside interest with Atlético Madrid coming calling. Last season back in La Liga he scored 18 times – more goals in one season than in his previous couple in England. His style of play far suiting more his technical ability in La Liga married to the love and arm-over-the-shoulder approach from manager Diego Simeone. Notably, he has the distinction of being the only player in history to score for both Atlético and Real in the Champions League. He also scored Atlético’s final goal of that enthralling game at Anfield to knock out holders Liverpool.
The Return to Turin
It looked like he was set to stay in Madrid this season. That was until the Old Lady clamoured for his return. He is back on a one-year loan deal worth €10 million with an option to purchase for €45 million. There is also a further option for both club and player to extend the loan spell by a further year. The fee is set for €10 million with the purchase price set then to €35 million.
Now back in Turin, he has fit comfortably into Andrea Pirlo’s favoured 3-5-2 system or 4-4-2, as set up in recent games. The attacker has gradually returned to become an important figure for the Italian champions. He scored his first goal back in Serie A against Crotone while netting twice in the Champions League at Dynamo Kyiv. The Juve number nine recently scored an injury-time winner in the competition against Ferencvaros. This secured his teams’ place in the knockout rounds.
The Spaniard is enjoying his European adventure with five goals in four appearances. He has seven goals in ten games overall for a season in which his talents are flourishing once more.
Morata is Money Money Money
The Madrid striker is one of the most cost-worthy transfer signings in history. His five moves have seen fees of a staggering £190 million. It is a remarkable statistic for someone who is not seen as a goal machine. However, his presence has guided him and his clubs to 16 trophies. So it is clear why he remains so sought-after.
An Unwanted Hat Trick
However, Morata has the distinction of most likely being the only player in history to record a hat trick of disallowed goals from offside situations. This occurred against Barcelona in the Champions League when Juventus lost 2-0 in Turin. When your luck is out, it is most definitely out.
The Makeup of Morata
But with Morata, Juventus have an experienced player who has played in the top three leagues in the world. On the field, he has shown his qualities of a skilful and intelligent striker who will put in a shift for his team. His first spell in Juventus demonstrated his raw pace and physical attributes. An adept header of the ball (goal for Spain versus Germany) as well as tactically being in the right place at the right time.
In his maturing years, he has developed a versatility in the number 9 role. Being able to play up front as a target man while also capable of being deployed as a second striker or at times a winger. He also is relishing the prospect of playing with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala.
In Search of Champions Glory
Having won the tournament twice earlier in his career with Real Madrid, Morata will be looking for European glory with the Black and Whites. It is a target which both the player and his club have had a clear focus on for some time. But the signs are that this Juventus team are somewhat a team in construction through their new manager’s philosophy.
Also, Morata, although demonstrating very good form both last and this season, will not be a target man who will guarantee you the 30 plus goals which teammate Ronaldo possesses. Yet, his range of qualities could push in future years the Old Lady to a new dawn of continental success.
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