Football

Morata denies finding London "stressful"

Alvaro Morata
Chelsea's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata attends a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match AS Roma vs Chelsea. Photo: AFP

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has dismissed suggestions he finds life in London "too stressful", saying he would sign for ten years with the English Premier League champions if offered.

The 25-year-old -- who signed a club record £58 million ($76.6 million) deal from Real Madrid in the close season -- was quoted in Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday as saying he missed playing for former Italian club Juventus.

But the Spanish international insisted it was simply a problem with communication.

"I have a problem with this interview. I'm very happy in London with my wife," said Morata ahead of Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Roma.

"When I say it's a stressful city it's only because of the traffic and lots of people. It's an incredible city and I really enjoy London.

"If Chelsea proposes 10 years I would sign."

But Morata conceded that he wanted to return to Spain eventually.

"I really like London now but probably in the future when I need to bring my child to school, I would prefer to come back to my country. It's normal for me to prefer the place where I was born."

Morata said he had a "very good relationship" with Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, who he also played under at Juventus.

"I talk a lot with Antonio and he likes to work hard and me too. Tactically he is one of the best coaches in the world," he said.

"Every day I improve a bit and it's good for my future."

Back from a hamstring injury, Morata set up Eden Hazard's winner in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Bournemouth Sunday and said he is "100 percent fit".

"In the last few games I wasn't in the best physical form, now I'm better."

Morata had a successful two-year spell with Juventus, winning back-to-back Serie A titles and reaching the Champions League final.

He returns on Tuesday to the Stadio Olimpico, where he scored the winner in the 2016 Coppa Italia final against AC Milan.

"It's always a pleasure to come back to Italy. I like this country but now we're here to get the three points," he added.

"Against Roma I have never scored before. I'll try to do it tomorrow."

Italian Conte said he was satisfied Morata was settling into life at his new club.

"I know where he lives with his wife. It's the same building I lived, it's a lovely place," he said.

"Every time I spoke to him he said he's happy.

"Last season I was alone without my family and when you have to work with a lot of pressure it's good to have a family with you.

"It's a fantastic experience for Alvaro, me and for every player who decide to have this experience in a very tough league."

 

Roma coach wants "same mentality" in Chelsea rematch

Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco called on his players to have "the same mentality" against Chelsea in Tuesday's Champions League game in Rome as in London two weeks ago.

Roma have won all three of their league games since drawing 3-3 with Chelsea a fortnight ago, and Di Francesco called on his team to continue to build on the performance at Stamford Bridge.

"In London we saw a beautiful Roma and tomorrow I want to see the same mentality," Di Francesco told Monday's press conference at the Stadio Olimpico.

"I want the same mentality as the one we adopted in our previous games. The mentality must be the same. That game must be a starting point for us.

"The idea is also to be more realistic than during the last three league matches (three 1-0 wins) where we lacked something."

Roma -- who have not reached the quarter-finals since 2007-2008 -- are now looking for a victory to overtake Antonio Conte's men at the top of Group C.

The winner of the clash at the Stadio Olimpico will be well-placed to reach the last 16.

"I hope we will play with the same approach, maybe we can also be more effective and take more of our chances," continued Di Francesco.

"We're growing and the great strength of this team is that we give away very little.

"We respect Chelsea, but we're also convinced about what we can do."

Roma have a number of injury problems with record summer signing Patrik Schick still not fit to play.

"He has been reporting some pain when he kicks the ball, so he had new tests which did not show any major problem," said Di Francesco.

"Either way, tomorrow he will not be included in the squad list, and we will assess for the next game against Fiorentina."

Roma have also been hampered by injuries to Gregoire Defrel (ankle), Bruno Peres (hamstring) and Rick Karsdorp (cruciate ligament).

"I don't believe in coincidences or bad luck. We have to look at Bruno Peres separately, who got injured in a very specific part of his hamstring," said the Roma coach.

"In general, however, we are working hard on solutions. But regardless of what you all are saying, I only have one thing in mind - tomorrow we are playing Chelsea, in front of our fans.

"It will be a great atmosphere and I hope the team will make them happy."

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Morata denies finding London "stressful"

Alvaro Morata
Chelsea's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata attends a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match AS Roma vs Chelsea. Photo: AFP

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has dismissed suggestions he finds life in London "too stressful", saying he would sign for ten years with the English Premier League champions if offered.

The 25-year-old -- who signed a club record £58 million ($76.6 million) deal from Real Madrid in the close season -- was quoted in Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday as saying he missed playing for former Italian club Juventus.

But the Spanish international insisted it was simply a problem with communication.

"I have a problem with this interview. I'm very happy in London with my wife," said Morata ahead of Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Roma.

"When I say it's a stressful city it's only because of the traffic and lots of people. It's an incredible city and I really enjoy London.

"If Chelsea proposes 10 years I would sign."

But Morata conceded that he wanted to return to Spain eventually.

"I really like London now but probably in the future when I need to bring my child to school, I would prefer to come back to my country. It's normal for me to prefer the place where I was born."

Morata said he had a "very good relationship" with Chelsea coach Antonio Conte, who he also played under at Juventus.

"I talk a lot with Antonio and he likes to work hard and me too. Tactically he is one of the best coaches in the world," he said.

"Every day I improve a bit and it's good for my future."

Back from a hamstring injury, Morata set up Eden Hazard's winner in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Bournemouth Sunday and said he is "100 percent fit".

"In the last few games I wasn't in the best physical form, now I'm better."

Morata had a successful two-year spell with Juventus, winning back-to-back Serie A titles and reaching the Champions League final.

He returns on Tuesday to the Stadio Olimpico, where he scored the winner in the 2016 Coppa Italia final against AC Milan.

"It's always a pleasure to come back to Italy. I like this country but now we're here to get the three points," he added.

"Against Roma I have never scored before. I'll try to do it tomorrow."

Italian Conte said he was satisfied Morata was settling into life at his new club.

"I know where he lives with his wife. It's the same building I lived, it's a lovely place," he said.

"Every time I spoke to him he said he's happy.

"Last season I was alone without my family and when you have to work with a lot of pressure it's good to have a family with you.

"It's a fantastic experience for Alvaro, me and for every player who decide to have this experience in a very tough league."

 

Roma coach wants "same mentality" in Chelsea rematch

Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco called on his players to have "the same mentality" against Chelsea in Tuesday's Champions League game in Rome as in London two weeks ago.

Roma have won all three of their league games since drawing 3-3 with Chelsea a fortnight ago, and Di Francesco called on his team to continue to build on the performance at Stamford Bridge.

"In London we saw a beautiful Roma and tomorrow I want to see the same mentality," Di Francesco told Monday's press conference at the Stadio Olimpico.

"I want the same mentality as the one we adopted in our previous games. The mentality must be the same. That game must be a starting point for us.

"The idea is also to be more realistic than during the last three league matches (three 1-0 wins) where we lacked something."

Roma -- who have not reached the quarter-finals since 2007-2008 -- are now looking for a victory to overtake Antonio Conte's men at the top of Group C.

The winner of the clash at the Stadio Olimpico will be well-placed to reach the last 16.

"I hope we will play with the same approach, maybe we can also be more effective and take more of our chances," continued Di Francesco.

"We're growing and the great strength of this team is that we give away very little.

"We respect Chelsea, but we're also convinced about what we can do."

Roma have a number of injury problems with record summer signing Patrik Schick still not fit to play.

"He has been reporting some pain when he kicks the ball, so he had new tests which did not show any major problem," said Di Francesco.

"Either way, tomorrow he will not be included in the squad list, and we will assess for the next game against Fiorentina."

Roma have also been hampered by injuries to Gregoire Defrel (ankle), Bruno Peres (hamstring) and Rick Karsdorp (cruciate ligament).

"I don't believe in coincidences or bad luck. We have to look at Bruno Peres separately, who got injured in a very specific part of his hamstring," said the Roma coach.

"In general, however, we are working hard on solutions. But regardless of what you all are saying, I only have one thing in mind - tomorrow we are playing Chelsea, in front of our fans.

"It will be a great atmosphere and I hope the team will make them happy."

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হাসিনা-জয়ের বিরুদ্ধে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে ৩০০ মিলিয়ন ডলার পাচারের অভিযোগ তদন্ত করবে দুদক

এর আগে শেখ হাসিনা, তার বোন শেখ রেহানা, ছেলে সজীব ওয়াজেদ জয় এবং রেহানার মেয়ে টিউলিপ সিদ্দিকের বিরুদ্ধে নয়টি প্রকল্পে ৮০ হাজার কোটি টাকার অনিয়ম ও দুর্নীতির অভিযোগ তদন্তের সিদ্ধান্ত নেয় দুদক।

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