Chelsea are bringing in Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid to replace Diego Costa but is he up to the job? Adam Bate assesses Morata's record.
...He has pedigree. Morata has shown that at Real Madrid and Juventus. Moreover, there are clues there in the numbers that suggest he is capable of delivering more if given the opportunity. Karim Benzema blocked his path at the Bernabeu but when Morata was turned to, he took his chance to shine more often than not.
...Indeed, the 24-year-old striker boasted the best minutes-per-goal record of any Real Madrid player in La Liga last season. His 15 goals came at a rate of one every 89 minutes. Only Barcelona's Lionel Messi could better that. If this sort of output could be replicated when given greater game time then Chelsea would be getting a world-class performer.
...As long ago as 2013/14, during Morata's previous spell at Madrid, he averaged more shots per 90 minutes from inside the penalty box than any other player in La Liga.
Those numbers remained encouraging upon his return. Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi had more shots from inside the box per 90 minutes than Morata last season.
...Having also scored in the Champions League final for Juventus and been his country's top scorer at European Under-19, Under-21 and senior championship level, it amounts to a proven track record of big-game goals. They will be needed.
...Antonio Conte will be demanding more than mere goals too. Costa's capacity to occupy defenders, embracing the physical battle, helped to create the space in which Eden Hazard thrived. At 6'2", Morata has the build to do that and with only one player scoring more headed goals in La Liga last season, he can be the box target that his team needs.
The hope will be that he can bring much more too. Having played on the wing in his younger days, he will run the channels, stretching opposition defences, and has the pace to be a factor on the counter attack as well.