Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has backed record signing Alvaro Morata to replace the 20 goals Diego Costa scored in the Premier League last season.
The 28 year old is not in Antonio Conte’s plans for the new season, leaving a big gap to fill up front, but Lampard is confident that Morata has the attributes to adapt quickly to the Premier League and become a prolific finisher. He told ESPN FC:
“He’s got great movement and he’s a good finisher, so he now needs to adapt to the Premier League. He won’t have had anything like it in Italy or Spain. We are the most physical league. It’s a very tough league and he’ll have to stand up to that. I do think he’s got the natural talent to come in and score the 20-plus goals that Diego Costa scored last year.”
Michy Batshuayi may however be chosen ahead of Morata by manager Antonio Conte for the first Premier League match of the season against Burnley tomorrow. The Spaniard is still short of match fitness and was not selected to start for the Blues against Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend.
Chelsea fans will however be hoping that Costa’s replacement will make his mark sooner rather than later, as Conte’s men look to put a difficult summer behind them, and make a strong defence of their Premier League title.
