Real Madrid have a big decision on their hands this summer. Its a decision that may well have already been all-but made and could split the capital clubs fan base: the future of Alvaro Morata. The young striker has long been perceived as Madrid’s “next big thing” but has seen his appearances in the famous white stripe limited to the bench given the current form of Carlo Ancelottis first-choice starting XI and the rise of fellow youngster Jese Rodriguez. The Italian did not want to let Morata leave in the winter transfer window but Madrids hand may well be forced one way or another come the end of the season. Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with moves to take the 21-year-old to the Premier League and with the players time on the Bernabeu pitch limited in recent months, Los Blancos may well have to listen to possible offers and let a player who is still a big fans favourite at the club continue his development elsewhere. Since the turn of the year Morata has played just 80 minutes for Madrid spread over eight substitute appearances, notching just the one goal. Only one starting role has been forthcoming this term -- in Madrids 2-0 victory over Malaga in October -- and that may only have come to give Karim Benzema, struggling in the early months of the season, a much-needed kick up the backside. With just three goals and one assists, its fair to say this season has not been Moratas. - Delaney: Man Utd planning Morata bid - Train: Courtois to be Reals No. 1? In a year where many Madridistas had hoped the Madrid-born striker would move up to the next level in terms of performances and appearances, its been arguably his most frustrating term yet. Morata has been on the periphery ever since he made his first-team debut in December 2010 as a late substitute at Real Zaragoza despite always being perceived as the next big thing, the future of the club. He showed bursts of his potential but never really had the run of matches to showcase what he could achieve. Now it seems his future lies elsewhere and it could be for the best if he wants to achieve that potential. With Madrid failing to plug the gap left by Gonzalo Higuain last summer, many thought Ancelotti would put his trust in Morata as back-up to Benzema. At the start of the campaign he did but there was no such rotation as the Frenchman enjoyed with Higuain. It was the Benzema show, an attempt to make him the out-and-out starter week-in, week-out, to see him flourish that way. Its taken time, but flourish the Frenchman certainly has. But its the rise-and-rise of Jese that has really thwarted Moratas progress. The Las Palmas-born attacker had made a big name for himself with Castilla, Madrids second team playing in the Segunda Division, and hes carried that momentum into this campaign so much so that his form since Christmas left some fans calling for him to start ahead of Gareth Bale on a regular basis. When Ancelotti needs an attacking alternative to Bale, Benzema or Cristiano Ronaldo, its Rodriguez who is called upon.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 17:53:09 +0000