Chelsea are hoping to sign a better version of Alvaro Morata before transfer window shuts

Chelsea: The first six fixtures of the 2021/22 Premier League

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Four years ago, Chelsea wanted to sign Romelu Lukaku. Antonio Conte, in particular, believed the Belgium international would be a substantial hit in west London – and the key to retaining their Premier League title. However, they ended up with Alvaro Morata instead.

Now, history is repeating itself.

Chelsea are set to settle for an alternative, instead of the real thing. Just like they did back in 2017.

It’s an open secret that, this summer, the Blues have been trying to bring Erling Haaland to the club from Borussia Dortmund. In the eyes of Thomas Tuchel and Roman Abramovich, he could be the ticket to yet more glory.

Yet, now, they’re poised to go after Lukaku instead.

Borussia Dortmund are in no mood to sell their prized asset. They’ve said this publicly and privately and, as the end of the transfer window creeps closer, aren’t going to change their stance.

So Chelsea are now hoping to land Lukaku, who they’ll be praying proves to be a better version of Morata.

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When the Blues missed out on the Belgian to Manchester United in 2017, that left them with very little options in attack.

Diego Costa was out of favour, with Conte brutally ending his Chelsea career and later selling the Spain international to La Liga side Atletico Madrid.

Michy Batshuayi was at the club too but, after failing to deliver following his move from Marseille, wasn’t trusted enough to lead the line.

Chelsea had really banked on Lukaku joining, believing his positive relationship with Conte – who he’d spoken to – would see him return to Stamford Bridge.

Yet they signed Morata instead, in a move that spectacularly backfired.

Things didn’t get off to a good start, with the striker rocking up on training with red in his hair – having dyed it amid an expectation he’d join Manchester United instead.

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And things didn’t get going for Morata on the pitch, either.

In his first season, he netted just 15 goals across all competitions. Lukaku, meanwhile, notched 28 at United – helping them finish second in the Premier League table i the process.

And he toiled during the 2018/2019 campaign, too, scoring just nine times before he was cut loose to Atletico.

Morata was never the brilliant alternative Chelsea had hoped he would be, disappointing Stamford Bridge match-goers and leaving Conte enraged.

So angry was the Italian that he got the Spaniard, instead of Lukaku, he publicly called out the Blues board – in an act that made it easier for Abramovich to relieve him of his duties.

And now, with Chelsea poised to sign another Plan B, they’ll be hoping Lukaku can succeed where Morata failed.

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The 28-year-old does seem a brilliant signing, if they can get a deal with Inter Milan done. Something that won’t be easy given their reluctance to let him go.

He’s Premier League proven, one of the best strikers in world football and a winner, too, having helped the club end their 10-year wait for Serie A glory.

And whether Chelsea are able to get this deal done remains to be seen.

Morata didn’t help his legacy at Stamford Bridge, either, when he accused fans of failing to take to him.

“I didn’t quite feel loved or appreciated by the club or the fans.

“I started very well at Chelsea, but an injury in the end leaves you a bit stuck.

“You are supposed to be respected by fans, but you know…”

And he also hit out at Chelsea players, too, insisting only Spaniards passed the ball to him.

He added: “At Chelsea there came a time when my team-mates, except for the Spaniards, well… you know, it is not the same when you play and you know that you give a pass to someone who is not going to do as well.

“You do not give the pass in the same way. Everyone who has played football once will understand that.

“I want to stay at Atletico but, contractually, Chelsea can call me back.

“We will see what happens in the negotiations between them, but the two clubs already know what I want.

“I only ask, please, as I said to Atletico, do everything possible to do it as soon as possible. Because I just want to be here.”

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