Former Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo insists summer signing Alvaro Morata is key to Blues' Premier League title defence: 'He will score a lot of goals'

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Chelsea can make up for a slow start to their Premier League title defence provided they can keep Spain forward Alvaro Morata fit, according to former Blues striker Tore Andre Flo.

Antonio Conte's side are currently nine points behind leaders Manchester City after eight matches, prompting fans to wonder if they have already fallen too far adrift in the title race.

Former Norway and Chelsea striker Flo is now a youth team coach for the Blues and believes his employers could still mount a title charge referring back to last season when they went on a 13-match winning streak after dropping seven points in the first six.

Chelsea new boy Alvaro Morata is set to make his return to Blues' side on Wednesday night

Antonio Conte has been preparing his side for their Champions League clash with Roma

'It's been a bit up and down. Much of it has been very, very good but surprisingly we have also dropped some points,' Flo, who scored 50 goals in 163 appearances for Chelsea, said. 

'We knew it would be difficult to have the same season as last year. But last year at the beginning Chelsea dropped some points too but then went on to win a lot of consecutive matches.

'It's still possible to end at the top of the table at the end of the season. But it's difficult, the Manchester teams are doing very well.'

But Conte needs to recover form after a sluggish start to their Premier League title defence

Morata will be the key to Chelsea's success this season according to Tore Andre Flo

Manchester United are currently second, two points behind neighbours City, with Tottenham making up the top three in the top-flight.

Chelsea suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday, their third loss in the league leaving them two short of their total for the whole of last season when Italian manager Antonio Conte lead them to the title in his first season at Stamford Bridge. 

The former Blues striker was speaking in Mumbai as part of Chelsea's foundation programme

'Obviously we would like to lead the table at the moment but we saw it last year, we can still catch up and do well,' Flo said.

'Chelsea are in the Champions League this season and as a club we will really want to do well in that one. We weren't in the Champions League last year.'

Flo, who was in Mumbai as part of Chelsea's trophy tour and a club foundation programme, blamed injuries for the club's poor start.

The Dutchman felt Morata's fitness will dictate if his former club retain the Premier League

Morata, who left Real Madrid for Chelsea in the off-season, has already scored seven goals but missed the Palace defeat through a hamstring injury. N'Golo Kante and Victor Moses are also out with similar problems.

The 24-year-old Morata is expected to return from injury and lead the attack against Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Compared to City's 29 Premier League goals, Chelsea have managed 13 with six of them from the 58-million pound striker. 

'Morata is a very good striker and the challenge for Chelsea is to keep him fit. Chelsea will definitely miss him when he's not playing, when he's injured,' Flo added.

'If we can keep him fit and he can play a lot of matches then he will score a lot of goals.'

Belgian Michy Batshuayi has failed to impress as a back-up to Morata but Flo pleaded for more time for Chelsea's new signings.

Flo claimed the Spaniard will score 'a lot of goals' should he be given the opportunity

'Chelsea got quite a few players but if you look at some of the other clubs too that have bought a lot of players. 

'If we give little bit of time, I think the players that Chelsea bought will start doing a good job for the team.

'I don't think Chelsea have a problem in front of goal. Batshuayi has shown he can score goals and Chelsea can use him a back-up for Morata.' 

But has also defended criticism laid on Morata's fellow striker Michy Batshuayi