Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has urged the Spanish striker to develop the tactical aspect of his game if he is to reach the expected height in the Premier League.
Morata has endured a torrid time since arriving Stanford Bridge from Real Madrid last summer with then manager Antonio Conte prefering Eden Hazard to lead the attack in big games.
The former Juventus striker second second season has not gone as planned under new manager Maurizio Sarri who has also dropped omitted him from some of the Club‘s match–day squad.
However, Maurizio Sarri restored Morata to his starting line-up against Southampton on Wednesday night, but the Spain international failed to find the back of the net as the Saints held Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
While speaking to the press on the the Spaniard lack of confidence in front of goal, Zola insists Morata is one the most technically-gifted strikers in world football, but must improve his tactical awareness if he is to rediscover his form in front of goal.
“Technically Morata – and this is the reason we invested a lot in him this year – we thought he was the perfect number nine for us.
“Maurizio has always said that. Technically without doubt he is one of the best in this position.
“I think he has to improve a little bit tactically because nowadays with the type of football, football is so organised you need to get better tactically, your ability is not enough.
“In my opinion he needs to improve on this. He’s been working on that, he has a good attitude. He feels that he doesn’t score enough and he feels a lot of responsibilities for that.
The former West Ham boss added that the Striker should embrace the weights of expectation at the Club and see it as a motivation and not burden instead.
“It should be a motivational thing,” said Zola. “You are at Chelsea, you are not playing for Southampton or Brighton with all due respect to those clubs.
“People expect a lot from the number nine at Chelsea. They expect a lot of goals and good performances. This is normal, he has to get used to it.
“If he goes to another big club it’ll be the same – there is no way you can avoid your responsibilities.
“It’s part of your job and if you can handle that then the better you’re going to be.” He concluded.
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