Is Alvaro Morata unhappy at Chelsea or does he want a long stay at Stamford Bridge?
There were mixed messages from the Spanish striker this week, when he reportedly said living in London was “too stressful” - before later claiming he would probably sign a ten-year deal at the Premier League champions if it were offered.
Morata talked about his life in the English capital during an interview with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, quoted by Sky Sports. He also admitted his regret at leaving Italian club Juventus, where he spent two years before returning to Real Madrid.
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Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Roma for the Champions League tie tonight, he said: “Italy for a Spaniard is the best country to live. You have everything: beauty, history, art, cooking, fashion. I would never have left Italy and Juve.
“The disappointment [of leaving Juventus] was enormous, I found myself back to the starting point. They [Real Madrid] treated me like the guy I was before the two Italian seasons.”
Since joining Chelsea from Real for a reported club-record fee of £60m in July, Morata has impressed with seven goals in 13 games, but appears to be less happy about his new lifestyle.
He told the newspaper: “I live in downtown Chelsea. London fascinates me with its multi-ethnicity, the coexistence of cultures and religions, but I do not see myself living here for very long. Too much, too much stress, too many metropolises.”
However, the BBC reports that Morata has since clarified his comments by saying he would not live in London after his playing career ends.
“I’m really happy here and enjoying London with my wife,” he said. “When I finish my career, I prefer to come back to my country. I prefer the place where I was born, that’s normal. When I say London is a stressful city, I’m talking about the traffic and a lot of people. It’s an incredible city.
“If Chelsea proposed ten years, I’d probably sign it. I’m happy with everything. If I make good and improve, I can stay here more than five years.”
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea side travel to Rome tonight knowing that a victory will secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, with two group matches still to be played.
According to the The Sun, Chelsea could be boosted by the return of midfielder N’Golo Kante, who has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury. Danny Drinkwater may also feature in the squad.
Tonight’s Champions League fixtures (7.45pm UK time)
Group A
- FC Basel vs. CSKA Moscow
- Manchester United vs. Benfica
Group B
- Celtic vs. Bayern Munich
- Paris Saint Germain vs. RSC Anderlecht
Group C
- Atletico Madrid vs. FK Qarabag
- Roma vs. Chelsea
Group D
- Olympiakos vs. Barcelona
- Sporting Lisbon vs. Juventus
