Alvaro Morata limps injured off for Chelsea in Europa League… and fans celebrate ‘Christmas’ coming early
Spanish striker was tasked with leading the line for Maurizio Sarri's men in their final group match with qualification already secured
CHELSEA will be sweating on the fitness of Alvaro Morata for the busy festive period after he limped off against MOL Vidi.
The Spanish international was called to lead the line as Maurizio Sarri named a second-string for their final Europa League group match with qualification already secured.
But the misfiring frontman's night came to an early end moments before the break.
Morata, 26, was replaced by Olivier Giroud after suffering what the Blues' Twitter account described as a knock.
Usually the sight of your striker going off injured would have fans sweating, but the Chelsea faithful seem to feel quite the opposite about the £65m frontman.
In fact, a number of them seemed to be celebrating the £160,00-a-week ex-Real Madrid man was injured on social media.
Twitter user @Anton_Kay wrote: "Morta injured! Good news."
And one even described it as an early present from Santa as @KingDika_ said: "Morata injured?... My Christmas is made already."
Another called @maticc1 said: "Morata injured. It's a necessary evil I guess."
And @FrankieGraulund said: "Morata simply doesn't care. Plays the victim card during games, and basically a waste of space. Needs to be sold."
Meanwhile some are hoping it could force Chelsea into the transfer market next month.
A person by the handle of @ab__dalla said: "Morata's injured. Thank God. Now we'll be forced to buy or call back batman. think whatever. but yoo, dyu watch morata play??"
As @Gathiti_Snr added: "Sad Morata is off injured. But could that be the domino that leads to us signing a striker in January?"
Despite some supporter glee, Sarri and Morata will both be hoping the damage is nothing serious.
Chelsea travel to Brighton on Sunday before taking on Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals next Wednesday.
Although a number of fans were happy, some hit out at those celebrating Morata's injury.
Tweeter @Hazarfield said: "Quite sad to see people celebrating Morata injury, should never happen."
While @aviskarkc10 added: "Shame on all the Chelsea fans who're celebrating Morata's injury."
