Diego Costa has spearheaded each of Chelsea's last two Premier League title triumphs, but now the Blues have turned to a new Spanish star to lead their line. The question is: can Alvaro Morata meet the challenge?
Concerns are understandable. Costa scored 20 goals in both of those title wins, while Morata is yet to net more than 15 times in a top-flight season.
But the numbers suggest the summer signing is capable of delivering more if given the opportunity.
Karim Benzema blocked his path at Real Madrid but when Morata played, he took his chance to shine more often than not.
The 24-year-old boasted the best minutes-per-goal record of any Real Madrid player in LaLiga last season.
His 15 goals came at a rate of one every 89 minutes. Only Barcelona's Lionel Messi bettered that.
If this sort of output can be replicated when given more match-time, then Chelsea are getting a world-class performer.
The statistics suggest this goalscoring knack is repeatable.
Shot volume is a vital clue that a player can be relied upon to score regularly and Morata delivers it.
Back in 2013/14 Morata averaged more shots per 90 minutes from inside the penalty box than any other player in LaLiga.
Upon his return to Madrid only Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi had more shots from inside the box per 90 minutes than Morata last season.
Most shots in box LaLiga 2016/17
| Player | Shots per 90 mins |
|---|---|
| Ronaldo | 4.0 |
| Messi | 3.3 |
| Morata | 3.2 |
Morata, who made his Chelsea debut on Tuesday, does not score meaningless goals either.
Important winners and timely goals directly earned his side 13 points across the course of the season. Even Ronaldo’s only delivered 14.
Having also scored in the UEFA Champions League final for Juventus and been his country's top scorer at European Under-19, Under-21 and senior championship level, Chelsea’s new star is a clear scorer of big-game goals.
They will be needed. Costa's goals earned more points than any other Premier League player last season, despite Harry Kane hitting nine more overall.
At 6ft 2in, Morata has the build to occupy defenders to free up space for Eden Hazard, the pace to threaten on the counterattack and with only one player scoring more headed goals in LaLiga last term, he can be the box target that Antonio Conte needs.
Alvaro Morata is replacing Diego Costa as Chelsea's striker but will he be able to fill his shoes? | @ghostgoal 👉 https://t.co/3gFKcs7c7E pic.twitter.com/ugoHeZv1Tb
— Sky Sports PL 👑 (@SkySportsPL) July 20, 2017
Adam Bate (@ghostgoal) writes for Sky Sports
