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News
On The Move: Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata
After Real Madrid triggered Alvaro Morata’s clause of £23m from Scudetto winners Juventus, the future of Spain’s top goalscorer at Euro 2016 has been of much speculation.
His agent, Juanma Lopez, has suggested that he will work with Madrid’s manager Zinedine Zidane and President Florentino Perez to discover their thoughts on Morata’s future.
It remains to be seen whether he’ll stay and possibly play second fiddle to Karim Benzema, or be sold on to another club. However, one thing is for sure, he has many options, with several Premier League clubs .
Staying at Real Madrid
Having rejoined the star-studded Champions League winning with no say in the matter, Morata’s current future is with Madrid. The Spanish-born striker has begun the Euros in red-hot form forcing Los Blancos to reconsider his sale.
With three goals in as many games, Morata has proved himself on the big stage by supplying vital goals for his nation – goals they had potentially lost out on through the omission of Diego Costa and Fernando Costa.
Having been used as a lone striker in the Spanish 4-3-3 formation, Morata’s aim is to occupy the two centre-backs, keeping them as far away from his side’s build up play as possible.
For Madrid, an explosive counter-attacking team, watching Morata play in such a way may not set the needy fan base’s world alight, but the ability he’s shown over the tournament may come in use when the Galacticos face lower league teams that allow them to keep the ball.
Providing Karim Benzema with competition would also be healthy for Zidane’s men, with the Frenchman the only natural striker in the team before Morata’s re-addition.
Having scored 24 league goals last season, compared to Morata’s seven, Benzema is likely to remain the first choice. However, with a potential loss of confidence with outside issues – i.e. the with fellow Frenchman Mathieu Valbuena – Morata may be able to take his place.
Regardless of who becomes the main striker, if either of them knows their position is contestable, they’ll both be striving to impress.
Joining Chelsea
Incoming manager Antonio Conte made his last desire at Juventus two years ago to be the arrival of either Romelu Lukaku or Alvaro Morata. Now, joining Chelsea, it still seems he has that same ambition.
With Lukaku’s history and, arguably, failure at Chelsea there for all to see, it seems that transfer won’t be happening anytime soon. Yet, with Morata, a is definitely on the cards.
Madrid are looking for double of what the buy-back clause was and Chelsea, who need added firepower, are happy to oblige – having dismissed Loic Remy as a viable secondary striker, it seems.
Teaming up with an admiring coach, and several of his Spanish international team-mates – Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, Diego Costa and Cesar Azpilicueta – would certainly be an appealing prospect and having forced Diego Costa’s omission from the national side, it’s seems just as likely he’ll be able to do the same at Stamford Bridge.
His large frame, natural ability and turn of pace provide him with all the attributes a successful Premier League striker usually has, yet there may be doubts over his similarities with Costa. Both are direct and possess a penalty box presence, which may cause problems if the Blues find themselves needing a tactical change midway through a game.
Moving to Arsenal
With Olivier Giroud’s consistency being questioned every time he goes a game without a goal, links between world class strikers and Arsenal are a regular occurrence and usually have little substance. Yet, having been snubbed by Leicester’s Jamie Vardy, the Gunners have to find another available alternative.
Alvaro Morata seems to be the alternative currently. His Champions League experience makes him an appealing striker for Arsene Wenger’s side as they look to go build on the signing of Granit Xhaka.
Being Juve’s 4th highest scorer last year,it may seem Morata isn’t as prolific as his worth suggests. However, having been subbed on 52% off the time, it shows his capability to grasp a game’s tempo within a small amount of time.
We mustn’t forget that Morata won the Coppa Italia for Juve having scored the winner after coming on as a sub.
With greater consistency in his performances and full faith from his manager, it seems likely that Morata will become a more prolific striker in the future. He may just prove to be the man who wins Arsenal their long-awaited Premier League trophy.
Linking up with Tottenham
For Tottenham, regaining Champions League status has put the club back on the map and provided them with a new ability to sign top players.
Having not had this last season, Spurs bought Clinton N’jie from Lyon in the hope that he would provide a challenge to Harry Kane’s starting berth. Within weeks of the season beginning, this hope had fallen flat as the Cameroonian striker hadn’t made an impact of any substance.
Yet, this year Tottenham have the financial capability and club stability to attract big name players, with Mauricio Pochettino’s style of football proving an exciting brand to be a part of.
Matching Chelsea stride for stride for the signature of Morata would also speak volumes about how far they’ve come and the potential of him joining Spurs over their rivals would be a major coup.
The status Morata holds coming off the back of Euro 2016, where he has impressed majorly, would have similar knock-on effects to the form of Harry Kane, just as it would have to Benzema, if he is to stay at Madrid.
With Kane knowing his position isn’t as secure as it once was, who knows how many goals he’ll score to maintain his starting spot.
Signing for Manchester United
Another club with a new manager who wants to sign Alvaro Morata. This time, it’s the Spaniard’s former coach Jose Mourinho who has already tied down Michael Carrick’s with a new contract and signed Villareal defender Eric Bailly.
Having worked with Morata at Real Madrid, the pair have an established relationship and know each other’s way of working. For Mourinho’s new club, Manchester United, Morata could provide the firing power that the Red Devils lacked under Louis Van Gaal last year.
However, suggest that United have fallen behind in the race for his signature, having been put off by his large transfer fee.
It’s likely that Mourinho will add Zlatan Ibrahimovic to his attacking force this season, while United fans will hope Marcus Rashford plays a big part next season as the Red Devils look to regain Champions League football.
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