Antonio Conte’s debut season in the Premier League seems to be going according to plan as his Chelsea side have the Premier League title in their sights with 14 games away from the end of the season. The manager spent decent money in the summer transfer window to add quality to his squad and though most of the buys have been successful, Conte is determined to spend yet again at the end of the season to aid Chelsea’s bid in the Champions League. This has seen him linked with a number of star players recently and one name that is constantly doing the rounds recently is Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata.
The Spaniard rose to the limelight with his stint in Turin with Juventus where he helped them to a couple of league titles and the Champions League final. His performances in Italy saw him get a call back to Real Madrid, who used their option to bring him back to Spain just two years after selling him.
However, ever since his move back to the Spanish capital, Morata, who has been decent on the field, is frustrated off it. He is unable to get enough chances in the first team and with Zinedine Zidane now plotting to add yet another attacker in the summer, his chances will become even limited. So he is interested in a move to Chelsea and has already informed his interest to the Spanish club. If Chelsea manages to get this deal done, a Michy Batshuayi at the Stamford Bridge will be kicking himself.
The young Belgian was one of the first transfers that Antonio Conte did after he joined the Blues. Diego Costa is the only recognized striker at the club has this season and Batshuayi was expected to cover for him when needed. However, the 23-year old has not been able to step on to the field, as Costa has been performing really good. But even in the absence of Costa, Batshuayi has not been able to get into the team. Conte stuck to using a front three of Eden Hazard, Willian and Pedro in games that they missed Costa and at the moment, it seems as Batshuayi is not in the plans of the manager at the club.
He has 15 Premier League appearances this season and has just a goal to his name. Though he has, at times, sparkled in front of goal, he has just not been consistent enough and is dearly missing the first team opportunity at the club in the Premier League. So it does not come as a surprise that Morata is eyed as a backup for Costa, pushing the Belgian further down the order. But this need not necessarily mean that his time at the Bridge is over.
Hence, it does not come as a surprise that Morata is eyed as a backup for Costa, but that will push the Belgian further down the order. But this need not necessarily mean that his time at the Bridge is over.
At 23, Batshuayi has most of his career ahead of him and is potentially a superstar. In his time at Marseille, he was quite productive in front of goal and his expertise with the ball attracted Antonio Conte in the summer. He is a purchase made by the current manager and it is hard to see Conte lose trust in him so quickly.
But if the manager believes that he is not good enough for the squad fighting in Europe next season, Batshuayi may well join a number of star names that are on loan away from the Bridge. But at the moment, unless Conte spends on more than one striker, Batshuayi will stay at Chelsea and should act as an understudy to Costa and Morata – if the deal goes through this summer.
Do you think Michy Batshuayi has any future at Chelsea?