Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has admitted he still messages Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.
Manchester United were interested in signing the Spanish International this summer, but surprisingly pulled out of a deal after muscling in on Chelsea’s attempt to sign Romelu Lukaku. United’s eventual £75m signing of Lukaku meant that Chelsea had to switch their attentions to the then Real Madrid striker, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £58m deal.
However, speaking to the Daily Mail, Morata has revealed that he is still in touch with the former Real Madrid and Chelsea Manager:
“We speak, not only this summer. I have a good relationship with Jose. He was my first coach in professional football and he gave me the chance to be a professional. He made me the first contact. Sometimes we send messages, not speaking about football, asking if everything’s OK and sending some jokes.
“It’s good and I appreciate these things because he was my first coach but now he’s my rival. We need to win. It’s wonderful playing with Mourinho and winning with Mourinho now it’s time to try to win with Antonio (Conte) and it’s a wonderful opportunity.”
“I had the chance to go to Manchester United and other teams in the Premier League. The important thing is I’m part of Chelsea and I’m very happy with this. Now it’s time to fight for the blue shirt. I want to play well and win with this shirt.
“For sure, Antonio, Michael, Marina, all of them called me this summer and there was no chance I wasn’t coming to Chelsea. They demonstrated to me that they really wanted me.”
Morata will be hoping to get one over the Portuguese boss this weekend as Chelsea face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.