Alvaro Morata says the Blues have an opportunity to send out a real statement of intent when we take on Manchester United at Stamford Bridge today.
After two consecutive away matches, we return to our home ground for the last fixture before the international break with Antonio Conte’s side looking to close the gap on the visitors, who were beaten in both the Premier League and FA Cup at the Bridge last season.
Morata is confident we can overcome what will be a tough test, and the striker believes our fans can play a huge part.
‘Now we have the chance to play at home, against Manchester United, and we need to rediscover our winning mentality,’ Morata tells the official Chelsea website.
‘It’s very important for us and the supporters. We will need all of them this weekend and we must try to create a difficult atmosphere for Manchester United. We are at home and we need to take the three points.
(
They are a direct rival so it’s a very important game for us. We have a chance to forget the Champions League game. That’s another competition and if we go through to the next round nobody will remember one bad match for us. Now our focus is on the Premier League.’
The status of both clubs ensures whenever Chelsea and Manchester United meet, there is more often than not plenty at stake, and Morata admits it’s a game which has always caught his eye.
‘Yes, for sure, when I was in Spain I always watched this fixture, it’s one of football’s biggest games and I’m sure people around the world will be watching,’ he says.
‘It’s important for us because we can put out a strong message. When we are all together, and all focused, we have a very strong team.’
There will be a huge Spanish connection to Sunday’s game, with Morata joined by Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta in the Chelsea squad, while the United group contains David De Gea, Ander Herrera and our former player Juan Mata.
Friendships will be put on hold, however, until after the game, according to Morata.
‘It’s very good to see these people because they are all good men, but at the weekend there will be no friends,’ he says. ‘When the match is finished we can talk, but before the game it’s impossible for us to be friends.’