Chelsea misfit Alvaro Morata gets Barcelona green-light from Jordi Alba – but is he being lined up as Luis Suarez’s replacement?
JORDI ALBA insists Alvaro Morata would be welcomed with open arms at Barcelona.
Reports claim the Chelsea misfit could be heading back to Spain in January after becoming unhappy at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are on the hunt for a new forward after Luis Suarez sensationally revealed that the club were lining up a long-term replacement for him.
And Morata’s body language suggests he’s looking for a way out, with fans on his back during every game.
He put in another torrid performance during last night’s 2-2 draw with Vidi in the Europa League, suffering an injury scare during the clash and limping off before half-time.
Maurizio Sarri later claimed the knock wasn’t too bad and Morata should be back fit soon.
Suarez vs Morata
Luis Suarez
Liverpool
2010/11: 13 games, 4 goals
2011/12: 39 games, 17 goals
2012/13: 44 games, 30 goals
2013/14: 37 games, 31 goals
Barcelona
2014/15: 43 games, 25 goals
2015/16: 53 games, 59 goals
2016/17: 51 games, 37 goals
2017/18L 51 games, 31 goals
2018/19: 19 games, 10 goals
TOTAL: 350 games, 244 goals
Alvaro Morata
Real Madrid
2010/11: 2 games, 0 goals
2011/12: 1 game, 0 goals
2012/13: 15 games, 2 goals
2013/14: 34 games, 9 goals
Juventus
2014/15: 46 games, 15 goals
2015/16: 47 games, 12 goals
Real Madrid
2016/17: 43 games, 20 goals
Chelsea
2017/18: 48 games, 15 goals
2018/19: 21 games, 7 goals
TOTAL: 257 games, 80 goals
Latest Chelsea news
But Chelsea’s latest boss has a big decision to make about the striker’s future as he looks to land his first-ever career trophy.
And Alba has now opened the door to Morata’s potential Nou Camp switch by hailing his international teammate as a “top player.”
Alba said: “Morata is a player that I appreciate a lot. He has been a top player for many years.
“At the end, it’s the club’s [decision] if they want to sign him or not, as with any other player.
“If the rumours are true, he would be very welcome, as all the new players [are].”
Alba also revealed that Barcelona have no problem with Ousmane Dembele after the French winger’s recently disciplinary issues.
The left-back added: “He is very important for us, everyone can make mistakes but in the dressing room there has never been a problem with Dembele.
“He is succeeding on the pitch and away from it he can improve but we are happy with him.”
