Why Alvaro Morata can no longer justify his place in Sarri’s side

The issues that hampered Alvaro Morata’s debut season in England are ever present, and it’s about time Olivier Giroud got the chance he deserves.

“He comes from sunny Spain, he’s better than Harry Kane” was the chant reverberating around the bet365 stadium on the Sept. 23, 2017. The target of this particular rhyme — Alvaro Morata — was in the process of spearheading an emphatic 4-0 away win and simultaneously quashing any doubts about his ability to fill the sizable boots left by Diego Costa’s departure.

In fact, with six goals in as many games, a cultured touch and no apparent anger issues, Chelsea supporters could be forgiven for thinking they’d secured an upgrade. If, at full time, it was possible to inform them that Morata would hit the back of the net on just six more occasions until the new year, it might have incited a chorus of laughter. If you could then add that, between then and today, the Spaniard would only add a further four, they might suggest you visit a doctor. But low and behold, that’s exactly what happened.

The issue with Morata has been less bad service, more woeful finishing. Last season, in the Premier League alone, Morata spurned 17 big chances. Given that Mohammed Salah missed 23 and Harry Kane 18, this in itself isn’t problematic. What is, though, is that unlike Salah and Kane, Morata struggles to recover from a howler. With strikers, one can generally correlate an absence of confidence with butchering opportunities, which, for top goalscorers, is a rare and temporary condition. But the concern with Morata, given his misery has endured for almost an entire year, is that it is becoming a permanent mental state.

Following a well-taken goal against Arsenal last month, Morata attempted to move forward. “When the ball goes into the net everything changes … your mind isn’t blocked anymore and I hope now I can score a lot of goals,” he said. That’s all well and good, but there’s something rather alarming about a £70-million striker discussing mind blocks at all. Nor is it the first time either — in a separate interview he described last season as a “disaster,” revealing that “when I went on the pitch, I didn’t even know where I was,” and he has previously disclosed that he was reduced to tears during a training session at Juventus, such was his lack of self belief.

The immediate anxiety for Chelsea is that there’s little indication Morata can hit a purple patch soon. Putting the Arsenal game to one side, Morata has been distinctly average against Huddersfield, Newcastle and Bournemouth — a sentiment reflected by early substitutions against the latter two. Considering he had a full pre-season, a luxury not afforded to the likes of Kane or Romelu Lukaku, it was hoped he would hit the ground running. But, including pre-season, one goal in seven starts is unacceptable for a club of Chelsea’s stature and ambition. Unfortunately, the psychological problems that plagued his first season in England appear to be alive and kicking.

In Olivier Giroud, Maurizio Sarri has a 6-foot-4 antidote. Since his arrival at the club the Frenchman has gained something of a cult status, evident in his rousing welcome to the fray last Saturday. Exchanging north for west London is an inherently popular move, but it’s his battling, aggressive and committed displays that have earned the endearment of the Chelsea faithful. Critics will point to five goals in 21 games for Chelsea as an uninspiring record not dissimilar to Morata’s, but with over 100 goals in England for Arsenal, the Frenchman is undoubtedly a proven and effective goalscorer. Given a run in the team, something he has yet to be afforded, and he’s likely to prove it.

And while a goalless Morata cuts a depressed, insolent and isolated figure, a goalless Giroud remains a sizable asset. His ability to pin defenders creates space for the more elusive forwards, a quality that proved indispensable to France’s summer triumph. Those harboring a limited tactical understanding highlighted his failure to bulge the net, but inside the French camp, they recognized his value.

“He is important for our style; we need his supporting play,” said Didier Deschamps. “The criticism is not justified,” added Blaise Matuidi. Indeed, any comparison between the blunt offensive force that labored against Australia and the slick outfit that dismantled Argentina would have noted Giroud’s presence as the cause of contrast.

For Chelsea, much the same rings true. Although Sarri’s philosophy places minimal emphasis on aerial attributes, Giroud’s guile in and around the box provide the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian and Pedro with that all important yard of space. Pedro’s opening goal against Bournemouth, involving a neat one-two with the Frenchman, can’t have escaped the Italian’s eye.

It’s worth pointing out, though, that both Morata and Giroud have their strengths in contrasting contexts. It should be of no surprise that against Arsenal’s kamikaze high line, Morata was able to use his superior mobility to exploit the space in behind. Equally, it should be of no surprise that when faced with Bournemouth’s double-decker bus, Giroud’s adeptness in tight areas was transformational.

The ball, of course, remains firmly in Sarri’s court, and with Morata’s pace more suited to his style, he may perservere with the Spaniard. “He only needs to gain confidence but he is a great player” were the Italian’s words. Morata is certainly a player of immense natural talent and one that may yet blossom. His blistering start to life at Chelsea and track record at Real Madrid and Juventus should not be forgotten, nor should his age or Sarri’s ability to rejuvenate forwards. But if, as feared, he cannot shake off his psychological imperfections soon, there is only so long one can deny Giroud an opportunity.

One certainty, though, is that a chorus of “he comes from sunny Spain, he’s better than Harry Kane” doesn’t quite carry the same ring, or justification, that it did last September.