Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has admitted that Alvaro Morata could be struggling with a lack of confidence after scoring just three times this year.
The Spaniard, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid last summer, started last week’s opening 3-0 victory at Huddersfield but failed to find the back of the net.
Morata is likely to lead the line against Arsenal again on Saturday evening and Sarri concedes the 25-year-old needs a goal to get back on track.
Speaking ahead of the London derby with Unai Emery’s men, Sarri said: ‘I am not worried about Morata. He is a very great player.
‘In this moment he needs to only gain confidence. He is a great player.’
Asked if the former Juventus star was low on confidence, Sarri replied:
‘Maybe. He needs to score. Like all the strikers in the world. He is improving so I am not really worried about him.’
Sarri also had his say loan signing Mateo Kovacic, who could make his debut against the Gunners following his move from Real Madrid.
‘Mateo will be very useful for us,’ Sarri added.
‘He is a very technical player and in this moment he has to work. He’s not ready for 90 minutes but for the last 30 minutes tomorrow (Saturday) he can he used.
‘I expect a lot from him . For me he is a very great player and in my opinion he can improve more.’
Asked where the Croatia midfielder will fit into his line-up, Sarri said:
‘He can play in the three midfielders, centre right or centre left is the same.
‘He is a very good offensive player but he has improved in the defensive side in Real Madrid in the last two years.’
Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s late kick-off and Sarri expects new boss Emery to recover from last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat by Manchester City.
He said: ‘Emery is a very good coach. He won three times the Europa League, he won in France with PSG.
‘I think Arsenal will be competitive, they will fight for a place in the Champions League.’
