Celta Vigo and former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas has said that he spoke to Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata after his compatriot was omitted from Spain’s 23-man World Cup squad.
Aspas was included as one of the forwards in boss Julen Loptegui’s Russia 2018 at the expense of Chelsea’s misfiring attacker. While Morata is a quality player when on form and also delivered during World Cup qualifiers for Spain, the decision taken by Lopetegui is fair when taking into consideration form and confidence. The former Real Madrid star has been in poor form in 2018, only managing to find the back of the net once since the turn of the year.
Due to Morata’s inability to find the back of the net, Chelsea bought Olivier Giroud from Arsenal during the January transfer window. The veteran French forward became Antonio Conte’s preferred option ahead of the Spaniard towards the end of the season and rightfully so.
The 30-year-old Aspas managed to win selection following a sterling season with Celta Vigo in La Liga. He managed to find the back of the net 22 times this season, while Morata only scored 11 goals in the Premier League.
The best thing that Morata can do for the sake of his career this summer is leave Chelsea. The Blues’ hierarchy are known to be harsh and they are likely to undergo a squad revolution this summer after the club finished the Premier League in fifth position and outside the Champions League qualification spots for the second time in three seasons.
Aspas said: “I spoke to Morata, but it’s a decision that the coach had to make. Alvaro is out and so are a lot of other very good teammates.
“Mario Gotze scored the goal which won the last final (for Germany in 2014 against Argentina) and he is not going to the World Cup. You have a bad season and another teammate will have the opportunity to be here instead.”
