Alvaro Morata has set his sights on scoring over 30 goals in 2018/19.
The Spanish striker was back amongst the goals on Saturday as he netted against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Alvaro Morata of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Manager Maurizio Sarri gave the 26-year-old the nod after insisting last week that he wasn’t worried about his form.
Morata repaid the Italian’s faith within 20 minutes at the Bridge, converting well past Petr Cech after springing the offside trap.
The forward, who signed for the Blues from Real Madrid in a £58 million deal last summer, appears more confident this term.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Alvaro Morata of Chelsea and Nacho Monreal of Arsenal battle for possession during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
He also played well against Huddersfield last week, and he’s hoping to build on his goals tally from last season and then some.
Morata’s lofty ambitions
Speaking to the club’s official website, he said after the game: “The last year was very hard for me, not just with confidence.
“The injury [last season] was very bad for me and my head, but when the ball goes into the net everything changes.
during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
“Your mind isn’t blocked anymore and I hope now I can score a lot of goals.
“For sure I want to score more than 30 goals, but I would prefer to score 15 or 20 and for us to win the Premier League or another big trophy.
Is he capable?
Morata is now entering his second season as a first-choice striker.
He underwhelmed last term but by no means did he ‘flop’.
Under Sarri, Morata could definitely take the league by storm.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Alvaro Morata of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal with team mate Ross Barkley during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
With Mateo Kovacic and Eden Hazard supplying the ammunition, he could well challenge the likes of harry Kane and Sergio Aguero in the goalscoring stakes.
Fan reaction
Some Chelsea supporters are delighted to see Morata aiming so high.
They would love to see him succeed at the Bridge especially with Diego Costa flourishing at Atletico Madrid.
Here’s how a small section reacted to Morata’s comments:
Now that the attitude we want to hear 👏🏻
— Italian George (@passing_master) 20 August 2018
Great attitude but do the rest of talk on pitch. Scoring should be mandatory with this attacking play, not an achievement.
— Akshit (@akshit_miglani) 20 August 2018
Yes you can. 28 more to go.
— Hamza (@geremi_anderson) 20 August 2018
Yes @AlvaroMorata , high hopes for you, love you and can’t wait to see you keep putting that ball at the back of the net
— Tony Richie (@tonie199) 20 August 2018
always believed in this man. never in doubt.
— Saurabh🍍 (@p9apple_xpress) 20 August 2018
Hope he does well
— – (@HazardEsqueSZN) 20 August 2018
Morata 20+ goal session incoming. Show em why you’re worth the money @AlvaroMorata
— the bombastic bag-man 🍁 (@PJTHEPYJAMAKID) 20 August 2018
Morata top scorer this season
— Kai Solarski (@kai_solarski_) 20 August 2018
Let’s hope the draught ends here 🤞
Kill it @AlvaroMorata we are blue we are with you always @ChelseaFC #bluesarmy #blueforever #bleedblue #londonisblue #chelseafcforever— harsh mewara (@harsh_mewara) 20 August 2018
comon lad, you are capable 💪💙
— Stamford 🌉 (@The5thstandcfc) 20 August 2018
Decent performance of Morata against Arsenal but you need to keep up this work. I really wish you good luck and I hope you score a lot of goals for us this season.
— badvibeS (@s_badvibe) 20 August 2018
He will shine for sure, it is never easy in PL, even Drogba took 2 seasons to get used to PL. Ignore the haters Alvaro
— rum.rai (@evolution0rr) 20 August 2018