Alvaro Morata endured another frustrating outing in Chelsea colours on Thursday even as the Blues beat PAOK 1-0 in their Europa League opener.
The Spaniard, who was dropped for the first time this season in Chelsea’s previous fixture, against Cardiff City, has only scored once in six appearances this season, carrying on from a poor debut campaign for the club in which he managed just 15 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions.
It was a poor return for a player who was made the club’s record signing last summer, arriving from Real Madrid on an initial £58million transfer fee.
Restored to the starting XI against PAOK, Morata delivered another dud – one that was a statistical low for the week. He had seven shots in the game, without getting a single one on target. It was the most shots without hitting the target by any player in European competition for the week.
Álvaro Morata took more shots without hitting the target than any other player in European competition this week.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 21, 2018
• 7 shots
• 6 off target
• 1 blocked
Another frustrating night in front of goal. 😞 pic.twitter.com/cDEl8xq0XN
The Blues put in one of their best performances of the season last weekend against Cardiff, when Olivier Giroud replaced Morata in the starting line-up and Maurizio Sarri’s side went on to win 4-1.
Given that display, and Morata’s poor showing on Thursday, it would seem a return to the bench is in the offing, with player, manager, and club left to wonder how the 25-year-old can regain form.
