As Diego Costa was completing the formalities of his transfer to Atletico Madrid, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte opted to focus on the Spaniard’s replacement, Alvaro Morata, and lavished praise on the young forward.
“I think on this issue, we want to thank him for what he did with this club and we wish him all the best for the future,’ Conte said when quizzed on the topic of Costa’s departure in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“Don’t forget, we won together last season. We want to thank him for his efforts last season with us, but not only last season, in the whole period he played for Chelsea,” the Italian tactician added.
Turning his attention to Morata, the club’s record signing, Conte said, “His behaviour is always fantastic. He is a very polite player, I like this.”
Morata has adapted well to life in the Premier League since his £60 million move from Real Madrid in the summer and his manager feels his predatory instincts are truly impressive.
“Also I like that he’s a good finisher, he ‘feels’ the goal in every moment, he’s very good and understanding which is the best position in the box to receive the ball, to understand where the ball is going,” stressed Conte.
The 24-year-old Spaniard has three goals (all headers, coincidentally) and two assists to his name already but his manager stressed the forward isn’t just about goals as he is polite and committed too.
“He’s a really good guy … It means if you have a daughter you’d be open to have this type of person with your daughter, to marry your daughter! A really good guy, a polite person,” Conte added as he signed off.