Alvaro Morata of Chelsea walks off to be subbed during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on September 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Chelsea will be without main striker Alvaro Morata for 4-8 weeks with a hamstring injury. Here are 5 ways the Blues will cope without their top marksman.
With seven goals in eight games, the start of Alvaro Morata’s Chelsea career has been a resounding success. He was brought in from Real Madrid for the huge sum of £60 million to lead the line and provide just that kind of goal return. Yet now the Blues are going to have the, well, blues.
Morata limped off the pitch on Saturday as Chelsea fell to a 1-0 loss against Manchester City. The Spanish goalscorer suffered a hamstring injury. Further test indicate he will now miss 4-8 weeks. The prognosis is nearer 8 than it is to 4 weeks.
This leaves Chelsea in a huge bind. The club only list two strikers on their club roster – Morata and Michy Batshuayi. After Antonio Conte’s falling out with Diego Costa it has left them painfully short on forward depth. The club also loaned out Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Swansea and Crystal Palace respectively. And Dominic Solanke preferred the comfort of Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
The Italian manager had wanted to bring in at least one more striker this summer but the club could not get it done. The dream was to partner Morata with Torino goal machine Andrea Belotti. But the inability to sell Costa in the summer prohibited that move. In the last few days of the window they thought they had a deal for Fernando Llorente but he ended up at London rivals Spurs instead.
So how will Chelsea cope? Here are 5 ways we think they will manage without Alvaro Morata:
miss 4-8 weeks</a>. The prognosis is nearer 8 than it is to 4 weeks.</p>
<p>This leaves Chelsea in a huge bind. The club only list two strikers on their club roster – Morata and Michy Batshuayi. After Antonio Conte’s falling out with Diego Costa it has left them painfully short on forward depth. The club also loaned out Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Swansea and Crystal Palace respectively. And <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://rushthekop.com/2017/10/02/dominic-solanke-solution-liverpool-attacking/">Dominic Solanke preferred the comfort of Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool</a>.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/e_Wq9-nxMj0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>The Italian manager had wanted to bring in at least one more striker this summer but the club could not get it done. The dream was to partner Morata with <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://playingfor90.com/2017/08/07/chelsea-prepare-90-million-belotti-deal-morata-disappoints/">Torino goal machine Andrea Belotti</a>. But the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://playingfor90.com/2017/07/30/chelsea-can-shift-costa-will-move-90-million-belotti/">inability to sell Costa in the summer prohibited that move</a>. In the last few days of the window they thought they had a deal for Fernando Llorente but he ended up at London rivals Spurs instead.</p>
<p>So how will Chelsea cope? Here are<strong> 5 ways we think they will manage without Alvaro Morata</strong>:</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 5 ways Chelsea will cope without Alvaro Morata: No. 1 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_442635" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-442635" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F10%2F855938122-chelsea-v-manchester-city-premier-league.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="Eden Hazard Chelsea" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Eden Hazard of Chelsea and John Stones of Manchester City battle for possession during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City. (Photo by Clive Rose for Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Hazard’s Return</h3>
<p>The game against Manchester City last week was the first time that Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata had started a league game together. The Belgian wizard had begun the season recovering from injury and didn’t have a preseason. Antonio Conte has eased him back into the first team. The strong performances of the side have allowed them to take their time with him.</p>
<p>Of course Chelsea fans want to see Hazard and Morata together but the timing of the Belgian’s return is crucial with the Morata injury. They played up front together in a 3-5-2 formation against City and the plan is clearly to have Hazard in a forward/striker role. Especially with the successful integration of Tiemoue Bakayoko to the Chelsea lineup.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/4zK5pNgdTNU" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Eden Hazard is pretty good at football. Clearly he is better as a number 10 than as a line-leading number 9. Yet I would not be too worried about his ability to play as a striker. He is quick, strong and full of skill. He also knows how to find the back of the net.</p>
<p>The issue will not be ‘can Hazard play as a striker?’ it will be ‘will there be enough creativity with him up front?’. As when Hazard has been missing I think you can expect to see Cesc Fabregas play further forward and fill the number 10 role that Hazard will vacate by playing as a striker.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 5 ways Chelsea will cope without Alvaro Morata: No. 2 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_442636" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-442636" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F10%2F854847086-atletico-madrid-v-chelsea-fc-uefa-champions-league.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="Michy Batshuayi" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea and Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea celebrate victory during the UEFA Champions League group C match between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea FC. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Batshuayi’s Golden Chance</h3>
<p>It is hard to say to what extent Antonio Conte actually trusts Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi. It was not a good sign that when Morata limped off it was Willian who replaced him and they played most of the game without a recognized striker.</p>
<p>Yet Batshuayi has had some crucial moments for Conte’s men. Not least clinching the Premier League title with a late goal against West Bromwich Albion last season. More recently he nabbed a vital away win in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, scoring deep into stoppage time.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/RnURlGP1abw" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Conte is really left with no choice. Unless he wants to striker-less and play Willian up front as he did on Saturday, or as Fabregas did at Barcelona, then Batshuayi will get some starts.</p>
<p>This is his golden opportunity to show his manager than he is not just a backup. That he is not just a player for lower league opposition in the domestic cups. He needs to prove he is a goalscorer and can lead the line.</p>
<p>I suspect Conte’s reservations have had little to do with Batshuayi’s goalscoring and more his tactical application. The Italian is a meticulous tactician and the Belgian striker will have to show he can work in Conte’s system and contribute in every way his manager expects.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 5 ways Chelsea will cope without Alvaro Morata: No.3 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_442637" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-442637" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F10%2F852924184-stoke-city-v-chelsea-premier-league.jpg-850x560.jpg" alt="Pedro Chelsea" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Pedro of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Chelsea at Bet365 Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>Push Pedro Forward</h3>
<p>I expect Conte to defer to using Batshuayi and Hazard up front as a buzzing Belgian duo for most of the next 8 weeks. That combination will probably be best for the Premier League where pace and strength are more important.</p>
<p>One way that Conte could change things up in the Champions League is by playing Pedro as a forward. The Spanish attacker usually plays wide right as part of a three. Yet if they are to keep a 3-5-2 formation, rather than revert to last year’s 3-4-3, then Pedro would be a good alternative.</p>
<p>Chelsea face Roma twice over the course of Morata’s expected absence. Those are ideal games for him to be used as a forward. There were times last season when Pedro partnered Diego Costa but that was not too fruitful.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/xJ9xvz8bGis" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Pedro is not fast or strong enough to disrupt the physical defenses of the Premier League. But the slower pace of Serie A oppositon will far better suit the Spaniard’s skill set. He also knows how to score. Considering he primarily plays as a midfielder his goal scoring ratio of one every four games is strong. He is a viable option for a handful of these games.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 5 ways Chelsea will cope without Alvaro Morata: No. 4 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-442638" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_560,w_850/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F04%2F663090706-chelsea-v-crystal-palace-premier-league.jpg.jpg" alt=""></p>
<h3>Easy Opponents</h3>
<p>Although Morata’s injury is a cruel blow for the Blues it could not have come at a better time in the fixture list. They have to face Crystal Palace, Watford and Bournemouth before hosting Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
<div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_442633" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;">
<script>
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/Playingfor90/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet")
.addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.enableServices();
googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet");
});
</script>
</div>
</div> </div> </div>
<p>That United game is round about when they expect Morata to be available again. If they can take 9 points from the first three games that should keep them well within title contention before they welcome Jose Mourinho’s side.</p>
<div class="related-category right">
<div class="related-main-title">More from <span class="related-name">Chelsea FC</span></div>
<ul>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/08/25/tuchel-eyeing-chelseas-trevoh-chalobah/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Tuchel has eyes on Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/08/17/lewis-hall-move-newcastle-united/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Permanent move of Cobham graduate Lewis Hall to Newcastle United</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/08/10/chelsea-declines-swap-deal/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Chelsea are not pleased with the Lukaku-Vlahović swap deal</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/08/10/liverpool-new-competitor-lavia/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Chelsea joins the race against Liverpool for Romeo Lavia</a>
</li>
<li>
<a class="related-link" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://playingfor90.com/2023/08/09/reece-james-chelsea-captain/" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="related-category-shortcode">Blues select Reece James as captain and Chilwell is new vice-captain</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>With six points from their first two Champions League games the pressure is off in that competition too. If they can take 2-4 points from those games they should be well set heading into the final two group games. That would not just put them likely to go through but also in pole position for first place.</p>
<p>They will also face Everton in the Carabao Cup. That is not a worry for two reasons. Firstly, the league cup is not a priority for the reigning Premier League champions. A loss would not derail their season in the slightest.</p>
<p>Secondly, Everton are terrible. Truly awful at the moment. The Blues could probably send out a couple of academy starlets up front and get a result against the Toffees. Frankly, there is not much on the upcoming fixture list for Chelsea to sweat too hard.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 5 ways Chelsea will cope without Alvaro Morata: No. 5 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-442646" src=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_560,w_850/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F02%2F516515300-chelsea-v-west-ham-united-premier-league.jpg" alt=""></p>
<h3>Spice Up The Midfield</h3>
<p>The Chelsea line up against Manchester City was defensive. Very defensive. Like, challenging-your-racist-Uncle-on-Facebook defensive. Conte started with five defenders; three center backs and Azpilicueta and Alonso as wing backs. He also has Kante and Bakayoko playing deep. After Morata went off he had Willian, Hazard and Fabregas as the attackers.</p>
<p>While this ultra-cautious approach prevented City running riot it did not stop them winning. One thing that Conte could immediately to help Chelsea in Morata’s absence is to play with a more offensively minded midfield.</p>
<p>Playing Victor Moses or Kenedy at full back would instantly change the dynamics. They miss having Azpilicueta at the back – especially with Luis suspended. Moses offers far more penetration than the Spaniard.</p>
<p>One reason Azpilicueta has had more games at wing back is for his crossing. He has connected with Morata on numerous occasions already. But with the striker out there is a much reduced need for crossing.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/06/5-ways-chelsea-will-cope-without-alvaro-morata/"https://playingfor90.com/2017/10/05/everton-set-new-price-tottenham-chelsea/">