Alvaro Morata has opened up on his struggles at Chelsea, revealing he “came close” to depression in his time at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard endured tough times in the Premier League and never lived up to the reputation that persuaded the Blues to spend £60million to bring him to London from Real Madrid in 2017.
The striker scored just 24 goals in 72 games across all competitions for Chelsea before being loaned back to La Liga, joining Atletico Madrid on a temporary basis before it was made permanent last summer.
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Morata – who is currently on a season-long loan at Juventus – has had a chance to look back on his time with Chelsea, and has spoken out on his issues, insisting more should be done to look after players’ mental health.
“I’ve never had depression and I hope I never do, but I came close,” he told El Mundo.
“I don’t believe it is given the importance that it should.
“When your head doesn’t work well, you are your worst enemy. During those times, it doesn’t matter what you do, you are always fighting against yourself. Depression is an illness just like breaking your ankle.”
Revealing he was seeing a psychologist during his second season at the Bridge, Morata – who has enjoyed a revival back in Italy this season – opened up on the help the session provided him with, admitting mental coaching is something that should be a permanent fixture within all clubs.
“Just as we train in the gym or on the pitch to improve our technique and our tactical abilities, I believe the mind is something you also have to train,” the 28-year-old said.
“You have to be ready and that [seeing a psychologist] helps you a lot.
“Even for my generation, in recent years, it wasn’t seen as something normal to see a psychologist – but inevitably, it has to be something normal. Today it is more common and there will be a day when it will be compulsory. There are people that go through difficult times.
“Had I had a professional, close to me during my [first season] at Chelsea, I think it would have gone better for me.”
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