Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has revealed that Maurizio Sarri has brought in a sports psychologist in order to get him firing once again.
Morata was one of the big-name arrivals in the Premier League in the summer of 2017 when Chelsea paid Real Madrid £58 million for his services.
He got his career in England off to a fine start but saw the goals quickly dry up, finishing his first season in England with figures of 15 goals in 48 appearances, with many saying that his poor form was down to the fact that he was not used to playing week-in, week-out as a main striker.
However, he has hit a purple patch in his form in recent weeks, and the former Juventus striker has revealed how speaking to a psychologist has helped.
“I had never thought about training the mind, really,” he told Spanish newspaper ABC.
“When a player hears the word psychologist at the first, you are taken aback, but I realised that I needed help.
“At first, I was a bit embarrassed to talk to the psychologist and tell him all my problems and with the help of everyone I have managed to recover happiness in football.
“This summer I said to myself once or twice that I wanted to go to a team where I would be happy again, without pressure.
“Now I am happier than ever at Chelsea and happier than ever in the national team even if it is not my best moment on the pitch.”
The striker has scored five goals in his last seven outings and has been recalled back into the Spanish national team having been left out of their World Cup squad.
“I think it’s very important to have confidence,” Morata added.
“Things go well for you. In this period of my life I have realised that you always have to train your mind.
“It’s not only about being physically prepared. To withstand the pressure, you also have to work, it is the most important thing in our field.”