Alvaro Morata ‘happy’ at Juve, has no intention of returning to Madrid

“The team has been winning lately and playing better. The objective is to get as many points as possible before Christmas and progress in the Champions League,” the former Real Madrid man told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Morata equalled Alessandro Del Piero’s club record of scoring in five consecutive Champions League games, but has struggled to replicate that form in Serie A.

“In all honesty, I haven’t been fully fit physically. I played on through various aches and pains, which is why I wasn’t consistent. I still haven’t been able to play a full game.

“Now physically I feel great and you’ll see that reflected on the pitch, I can assure you.”

Morata has operated on the left of a front three for much of the season and, while that is not the Spain international’s preferred position, he insists that he is not hankering for a return to Spain.

“I’m glad to have this opportunity to clarify some things. Every time I play, I am happy, and I didn’t say that I don’t like playing on the left, but that it’s more difficult to score from there.

“My objective is to win titles, not scorers’ charts. What is the point in scoring 25 goals if I don’t win anything with the team?

“Clearly when a striker doesn’t score he is criticised, but if you gave me the chance to take the Scudetto and not score again this season, I’d take it right now.

“As for Real Madrid rumours, I let it all slide off me. The only thing that interests me is playing as much as possible for Juve and winning titles, as after that anything people say is not my problem.

“I know that I have to do better, that I haven’t been as consistent as last season and so far I haven’t played at my level. I need to get back there and surpass it, seeing as I am only 23 and hope to improve further.

“I am very happy where I am and am not thinking of any other club. It’s true there are many things that are not up to me, but I repeat I am happy at Juventus and have no intention of changing.

“Has someone from Real Madrid contacted me? No.”

That is about as adamant a rebuttal as they come. However, while Morata states that it his wish to remain at Juve he does also acknowledge that some elements are out of his control. Juventus have shown that if the price is right they will sell, as evidenced by their decision to allow influential midfielder Arturo Vidal leave the club in the same close season that they also lost Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez. Furthermore, Real Madrid have a habit of making sure that the price is right – typically, if they want a player, then they tend to get him.