Premier league champions, Chelsea, made their marquee summer signing, breaking their record transfer fee, to bring in the 24 year old Spaniard, Alvaro Morata. A fee of £58 million, which could rise to a potential £70 million lured him away from the Spanish giants, Real Madrid. Most Chelsea and Fantasy Premier League fans will hope he can do better than their former record signing, Fernando Torres, but like Torres he will wear the number 9 shirt and lead the Chelsea front line.
Here’s what Antonio Conte had to say about Alvaro Morata:
“Morata for sure is a first-choice, a good striker and a player with the right prospects for Chelsea. He is very young, for sure he can improve a lot and I hope to show his value with us.”
With three main strikers at the club, Conte has assured FPL managers he is going to lead the line at the club. Diego Costa looks to be going in the opposite direction, packing his bags and heading back to the other side of Madrid after his fallout with Conte. The only thing that appears to be slowing down his departure is Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban.
This means the only competition Morata has is Chelsea’s forgotten signing of last summer, Michy Batshuayi who signed for £33 million. Michy has impressed during pre-season scoring a brace against London rivals, Arsenal and Conte had a lot of praise for Batshuayi after his last game:
“Last season it was a difficult season for Michy but don’t forget he scored a very important goal to give us the title,” Conte said. “I think last season he had a bit of difficulty because it is not easy to play in the Premier League. It is a physical league and a very strong league.
“After one year he is working very well and he is improving. For me the striker is very important, he is a point of reference. If he stays in the right position, it is easier for us, for the team and to play good football.”
Fantasy Football Potential
Alvaro Morata started off his career at Madrid in 2010. He scored a total of 10 goals at the start of his career, mainly from the bench, but with the lack of starts he was getting, he moved to Juventus, notching up 15 goals and 13 assists in the 63 games. He still wasn’t able to nail down a spot and only started 36 of those games. He returned to Real Madrid after they triggered a buy back clause in his contract, costing them a fee of £23 million. In his final spell at Real Madrid, Morata scored 15 goals and had 5 assists in 26 games, but only started 14 of the games.
The premier league is said to be a physical league and that suits the six foot two striker. Morata will be able to get his first chance at having a spell of constant starts. At 10.0m Morata has been priced very reasonably, equal to Costa and 0.5 cheaper than fellow new boy, Alexandre Lacazette. Morata is now nearly owned by 10% of Fantasy Premier League managers and that will surely rise. Chelsea teammate, Hazard who is priced 0.5 more and who looks to likely to retain penalties could be a safer option after he returns from injury.
Over the last 3 seasons Morata has picked up 19 yellow cards, 7 less than Diego Costa, which is quite high compared to other top strikers and could potentially harm his bonus point potential. Costa scored 20 times and created 11 assists last season for the blues, if Morata can match that, 10.0m looks a very decent price.
Morata has averaged a goal every 89 minutes in his career in league matches which is only bettered by Harry Kane. His first match at home to Burnley is a perfect game to start of his Premier League career, however Chelsea’s following four aren’t the kindest; Tottenham (A), Everton (H), Leicester (A) and Arsenal (H).
Alvaro Morata looks to be a great differential and a tasty punt to start the Premier League season, but will he be Fantasy gold or be another Torres for Chelsea? With their opening fixtures it could be wise to avoid the Spaniard and see how he settles in, but as a long term prospect, Morata could be the man fantasy bosses have been waiting for.
If you have enjoyed this early view of the fantasy potential of those moving teams this transfer window, be sure to check the others here.
Written by FPL Junior (@FPL_Junior)
