Alvaro Morata has admitted he finds life in London “stressful” and doesn’t see himself remaining in the English capital for too long.
The Spain striker joined Chelsea in the summer, signing for Antonio Conte’s side after a year back at boyhood club Real Madrid. His claims are a blow to Conte's hope of building long-term around the 25-year-old.
Morata had previously enjoyed a two-year sojourn at Italian side Juventus, winning two Serie A titles and reaching the final of the 2015 Champions League.
And he has impressed at Stamford Bridge, scoring six times in his first nine Premier League appearances.
Conte, who initially signed Morata for Juve before walking out on the Bianconeri in 2014, has made him his undoubted first choice from the off, starting with the Spain international whenever fit.
His partnership with Eden Hazard has also been a major plus point for the champions, the duo noticeably shining in the 2-1 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.
However, ahead of a return to Italy for Chelsea’s clash with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, Moratta admitted to La Gazzetta dello Sport that while he considers London a “fascinating” place to live due to its “multi-ethnicity”, he doesn’t see himself living in the city for too long.
"I live in downtown Chelsea", offered Morata. "What fascinates me about London is its multi-ethnicity, the coexistence of cultures and religions, but I do not see myself living here for very long.
"It's too big, too much stress, too much of a metropolis."
Morata, whose wife it Italian, also made clear his regard for former side Juventus, the club whom he claims helped turn him into “a real player”.
Morata has made clear that he wished he had never been called back to the Santiago Bernabeu by Madrid.
"I wish I had never left Juventus,” added Morata. "I went back [to Madrid] because there were contractual agreements that had to be respected, but I was hugely disappointed.
"I went back to square one and they treated me like the child I was before my two years in Italy."
Juventus never wanted to lose the player in 2016 and were keen to take him back this summer - but couldn’t match Chelsea, especially one year after signing Gonzalo Higuain for £75million.