Alvaro Morata Chelsea 2018-19Getty Images

'Morata misses unbelievable chances' - Giroud backed by Chelsea legend to provide Hazard support

Alvaro Morata may find himself stuck behind Olivier Giroud in the Chelsea pecking order, says Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris, with the out-of-sorts Spanish striker missing “some unbelievable chances”.

The Blues invested heavily when bringing the former Real Madrid and Juventus forward to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2017, with a club-record fee required to secure his services.

Morata did deliver 15 goals during his debut campaign, but he struggled for consistency and has been unable to rediscover his spark this term after opting against cutting short his stay in west London.

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Opportunities have come his way in 2018-19, but the 25-year-old has often fluffed his lines and now faces fierce competition from World Cup winner Giroud for the right to support Eden Hazard in Chelsea’s attacking unit.

Blues legend Harris told Love Sport Radio of that selection battle: “[Giroud] seems to link up better with Eden Hazard.

“The other lad Morata is desperate for goals. He’s had some good opportunities and missed them, and when sometimes when the luck is going with you, you can mishit a shot and it goes in.

“This fella seems to miss some unbelievable chances and I just feel he’s lacking in a bit of confidence at the moment. The one that seems to be thriving with Eden Hazard is Giroud.”

With Giroud, Hazard and Willian leading from the front, Chelsea have enjoyed a positive start to the new season.

A 0-0 draw with London rivals West Ham on Sunday brought a six-game winning streak to a close, but the club are moving in the right direction under Maurizio Sarri.

Maurizio Sarri ChelseaGetty Images

“I think if Chelsea finish in the top four and make the Champions League, that would be quite a good season because you’ve got a new manager coming in,” said Harris.

“No disrespect but if you ask the club or the players if they would like to play in the Champions League or this Europa - and the same with the supporters - I’m sure they would plump for the Champions League.

“If they do manage that, that would be a good start for the manager.”

Sarri has been quick to play down Chelsea’s title credentials this season, with the Italian claiming that it will take at least a year for him to get fully adjusted.

Harris hopes the Italian will be given the time he needs to deliver sustained success, with a revolving door policy when it comes to managerial appointments having done the Blues few favours over recent years.

He said: “When you look at the track record over the last 10 years, they only seem to stay a couple of seasons and then they seem to fall out and leave.

“It would be nice for Sarri to do a stint and win a few things for the club.

“I think that, without being disrespectful to him, a lot of the Chelsea supporters wouldn’t have known who Sarri was until he came here. So obviously he’s on trial as much as one or two of the players he’s brought in.

“He seems to have bought wisely at the moment and things seem to be going ever so well for him.”

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