Chelsea boss Antonio Conte explains his reasons for dropping Alvaro Morata to the bench in FA Community Shield clash against Arsenal
The 24-year-old was brought in from Real Madrid in the summer in a club-record deal, but hasn't fully adapted
ANTONIO CONTE has revealed why he dropped Alvaro Morata to the bench for Community Shield clash against Arsenal.
The 24-year-old striker started the top-flight curtain raiser in the dugout at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Morata - a £65million club-record signing from Real Madrid - has struggled in pre-season since joining the Blues on their pre-season tour in Asia.
He was told by his new manager that he must improve on his fitness after an underwhelming first start against Serie A side Inter Milan.
Speaking in his pre-match interview against Arsenal, Conte said: "I don’t know why people are surprised.
"It is normal when a player arrives.
"He needs a bit of time to adapt to our football and our ideas."
Michy Batshuayi was preferred up top after the Belgian forward netted twice against the Gunners in a 3-0 romp in China last month.
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The news that Morata is not fully fit will be a concern for Chelsea fans as the Premier League season gets underway next week.
Spanish international Diego Costa is pushing for a move away from Stamford Bridge, as he desperately aims to return to Atletico Madrid.
Batshuayi struggled for the West Londoners last campaign in his debut season in England, netting just five times in the top-flight as he played second-fiddle to Costa.