Alvaro Morata has launched a thinly-veiled dig at Maurizio Sarri and Chelsea after commenting on his time at Atletico Madrid so far.
The Spaniard is finding form back in La Liga with Atletico, scoring three goals in his first eight games since joining the club on an 18-month loan deal in January.
And the 26-year-old has spoken of what has changed for him at the Wanda Metropolitano, while taking aim at the Blues with a pointed remark while away on international duty with Spain.
“I needed trust, that’s for sure,” he added. “I came from a bad time but that’s in the past, let’s leave all that behind.”
Morata did net nine times for the Blues this season before making the move in January, but he failed to replicate the form he showed early on in his time in west London, following a big-money move from Real Madrid in July 2017.
Gonzalo Higuain’s January arrival on loan from Juventus spelled the end for Morata in west London and he returned to his home country after signing an 18-month loan deal with Atleti.
And he has recently spoken about how happy he is back in the Spanish capital after making the move back to Atletico, where he started out as a youth player.
“Most of the time, forwards are judged by their goals but, above all, I have adapted well and quickly,” he said, as reported by Goal .
“I am very happy because I have had a bad time in the past.
“I have adapted quickly thanks to the help of everybody at the club and my colleagues.”
And his latest comments about the future of team-mate Antoine Griezmann suggest that Morata is planning to be back in Madrid long-term, as he looks to make his move permanent after a tough time in the capital.
“I’m not worried. In general I see Antoine [Griezmann] very happy with us. This is his home and I think he’s happy here.”