‘He could be a star’ – Cascarino delivers verdict on new Chelsea signing
By Harry Sykes
Former Chelsea striker turned pundit Tony Cascarino has delivered a glowing report on new Blues forward Alvaro Morata.
The 24-year-old striker joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in a deal worth £55million in July and Cascarino is expecting him to be a hit in the Premier League.
Morata scored 15 goals in 26 La Liga games last season, and contributed five assists, but only started 14 of those games.
It looks increasingly like Morata will be Chelsea’s first-choice striker after Diego Costa instructed his lawyers to file for unfair dismissal against the London club.
But Cascarino, in his column for The Times, said that Morata would be a good replacement for Costa if he was up for the fight.
“His height helps him to lead the line well and he is strong in the air. If he is up for the physical battle his heading could prove an asset,” Cascarino said.
“He can score with both feet and reminds me a bit of Ruud van Nistelrooy but isn’t quite as good a poacher. A lot of his goals will be scored in the box with first-time finishes and reaction shots.”
Comparing the striker to Premier League rivals Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette, Cascarino said, “He is not ahead of Lacazette on talent, but he’s more of a complete player and will suit his new team better. He could be a star.”
The two new strikers will get a chance to line-up against each other in Chelsea’s first competitive game of the season on Sunday in the Community Shield.
Morata will then get a chance in front of his own fans in the Premier League the following Saturday as Chelsea kick-off their defence of the title at home to Burnley.
Morata will be hoping to open his account quickly in the blue of Chelsea ahead of a season where he will be the leading man for the first time in a long time.
In other Chelsea news, a four-year deal was signed as this defender left the club.
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