Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has insisted that January deadline day signing Olivier Giroud, will provide the type of competition that will help Spain international striker Alvaro Morata rediscover his best form.
Speaking ahead of The Blues FA Cup fifth round tie against Hull at Stamford Bridge tonight, the Italian coach said:
“Alvaro is a player with a good responsibility and a good maturity,”
“The competition is good for the team. A great team must have competition in every position.
“Giroud is a good option. He is very strong and powerful and he can help us for the rest of the season.”
Chelsea broke their club record transfer fee when they paid £70 million to sign Morata from Real Madrid this summer. Despite starting the season in sparkling form, netting eight goals in his first 11 Premier League appearances, the talented striker has struggled from a loss of confidence and with injury problems over recent months.
Although Morata has enjoyed a trophy laden career, during his spells with Real and Juventus, this season has actually been the first season in which he has been a first-choice striker. In fact, he has already played more minutes during this campaign than he has ever managed during a full season for any of his previous sides.
Conte however, seems happy to have another striking option that he trusts, and seems optimistic that this increased competition for the starting strikers spot will help Morata rediscover his impressive early season form.