Thierry Henry sends message to Chelsea signing about becoming top striker
The Arsenal legend explains what Alvaro Morata needs to improve to become a top Premier League striker at Chelsea
Thierry Henry has warned Alvaro Morata that he needs to improve his hold up play to thrive in the Chelsea team.
The Spain international moved to the Premier League champions in a 58m deal from La Liga and Champions League holders Real Madrid last month.
Morata has made a solid if unspectacular start to life at Stamford Bridge after the striker missed a spot-kick in a penalty shootout defeat by Arsenal in the Community Shield.
The 24-year-old striker was brought off the bench in the second half of Chelsea’s 3-2 loss to Burnley in the Premier League opener, scoring the Blues’ first goal before setting up David Luiz.
Morata started his first Premier League game on Sunday afternoon but the Chelsea star missed a clear header in the first half before goals from Marcos Alonso sealed a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
The former Juventus man has been drafted into the Chelsea team to help fill the void left by Diego Costa, who has been told he can leave the west London club.
Former Arsenal striker Henry explained one facet of Morata’s game that needs to improve if the Spanish forward is going to be a success at Stamford Bridge ahead of Sunday’s home clash against Everton.
“It was difficult. He had to hold the ball sometimes. He had to shield the ball. He had a couple of chances on the counter that he didn’t negotiate well,” Henry told Sky Sports.
“It is so difficult.”
Henry added: “I am not trying to find excuses for him. We said the same thing about Lukaku. You need to keep the ball more often than not when you playing up front alone.
“He played with Tevez up front at Juve. Tevez did the dirty work and Morata was moving off him. He will ease into the league and understand what his team needs to do.”
Morata scored his second Premier League goal in Chelsea’s comfortable win against Everton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
