Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata has revealed he promised to go to Atletico Madrid before his £71million switch to Chelsea.
The Spanish striker joined his boyhood club on loan in January after the Blues ran out of patience with his poor goalscoring form.
Morata’s Chelsea career began brightly following his club-record signing from Real Madrid in the summer of 2017, however the honeymoon was short-lived, and his confidence in front of goal quickly vanished.
He is now looking to reignite his career in Madrid, where he stated out as an academy player, and his new manager Diego Simeone has been trying to sign him for some time.
In an interview with Spanish publication AS, Morata reveals he promised Simeone he would play for him one day.
“If I tell you the truth, the first contact was three-and-a-half years ago,” he said.
“I gave him my word that as soon as I was able to, I would come. It wasn’t possible before.
“But it wasn’t because of me. I gave him my word, and now I’ve come here it has been the time when I’ve talked with Simeone the least!”
The 26-year-old, who scored five Premier League goals for Chelsea earlier this season, is yet to open his account for the LaLiga side.
Meanwhile, Morata’s replacement at Stamford Bridge, Juventus loanee Gonzalo Higuain, has already scored twice for the Blues.
But Chelsea have not fared well since Morata’s departure, suffering three defeats in their last five games.
Wednesday 20th February
Schalke vs Manchester City – 8:00pm – talkSPORT
Thursday 21st February
Valencia vs Celtic – 5:55pm – talkSPORT 2
Saturday 23rd February
Burnley vs Tottenham – 12:30pm – talkSPORT
Bournemouth vs Wolves – 3:00pm – talkSPORT 2
Leicester vs Crystal Palace – 5:30pm – talkSPORT
West Brom vs Sheffield United – 5:30pm – talkSPORT 2
Sunday 24th February
Manchester United vs Liverpool – 2:05pm – talkSPORT
Manchester City vs Chelsea (Carabao Cup final) – 4:30pm – talkSPORT