ESPN Pundit Alejandro Moreno admitted that he was wrong to suggest that Alvaro Morata would turn out to be a success with Chelsea during the ongoing season. The Spain international was brought in as a straight replacement for compatriot Diego Costa from Real Madrid, and he made an instant impact with the Blues, scoring seven goals in his first eight appearances.

However, he has since struggled to find the scoresheet regularly, owing to injuries, fitness and a loss of form, and he is currently on 13 goals across 39 games through the season. Speaking on the ESPN FC show, Moreno admitted that Morata has underperformed during his maiden English campaign, and believes his struggles have been due to Conte’s management as well as his average showing in the frontline, he said:  “I have to say I was wrong on Morata. I thought he would be better than he has been. Now, Conte hasn’t exactly done him any favours. But Morata himself his performances individually have not been good.”

As a result of his lean form, Morata has found himself out of the Spain squad for their friendlies against Germany and Argentina. The 25-year-old had gone through 13 straight games without scoring for the Blues, but he managed to end this streak last weekend, where he netted the opener in a 2-1 win over Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-final.

The club now have a key Premier League outing against Tottenham Hotspur following the international break, and Conte will be hoping that Morata can contribute in the goal tally, given the game could have a huge complexion on which team finishes in the Champions League positions. Spurs currently hold a five-point lead over Chelsea for the fourth spot, and nothing than a victory at Stamford Bridge would do to keep the Blues in the top-four pursuit.