Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata has said he considered returning to Italy or Spain this summer after a “disastrous” end to the season at Chelsea — but insists he is now happy again.
Injuries limited him to 15 goals in 48 games in his first season at Chelsea and the poor form led to his omission from Spain’s World Cup squad, but he has now been named in Luis Enrique’s squad for the UEFA Nations League game against England on Saturday.
“I was not happy at Chelsea last season,” Morata said in Tuesday’s news conference. “The end of last season was a disaster.
“When I went on to the pitch, I didn’t even know where I was. I honestly considered returning to play in Spain or in Italy, where I had been successful and happy.
“But you cannot always run away from reality. You have to stick it out. In adversity, you have to find motivation to continue and do well. I want to be happy this season. I want to have a great season at Chelsea.”
Asked if a third stint at Real Madrid, the club that sold him to Chelsea last summer, had been on the cards, the former Juventus star replied: “There was never the possibility to return to Real Madrid. It has never existed.”
The 25-year-old said missing out on this summer’s tournament was the lowest point in his career.
“To play a World Cup for your country is everything you dream of,” he said. “The summer was hard, not to go to the World Cup when I expected a call-up.
“It was a difficult time for me; but it has passed. I will do all I can to go to the next one. I feel no resentment towards [former Spain coach Julen] Lopetegui.
“I didn’t have the best of seasons. It was a football decision and I wish him all the best, especially now that he is at Real Madrid.”
Morata said he has turned the page following an eventful few months.
“Things have changed,” he added. “I’ve become a father, I have a new coach [Maurizio Sarri]. I have returned to the national team, all positive things — and I hope that I can show that on the pitch.”