Chelsea boss Conte backs struggling Morata

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Chelsea boss Antonio Conte insists he has total faith in misfiring striker Alvaro Morata despite the Spaniard’s “stupid” sending-off against Norwich City in the FA Cup.

Morata, who signed for £60m from Real Madrid in the summer, has not scored in his past six appearances.

And his red card for two cautions against Norwich on Wednesday means he is suspended for Saturday’s Premier League match against Brighton.

Conte said: “The player knows very well his mistake. It was frustration for the first yellow card because the player didn’t deserve this yellow card [for diving]. If the referee doesn’t want to concede a penalty, it is not right to book him.

“But Morata must learn to control himself because the second yellow card was for dissent. I agree with the player for the first yellow card but not for the second yellow card.

“He has to overcome this problem because it is a stupid problem.”

Conte believes the 25-year-old is still learning the responsibility that comes with being the main striker at a big club.

“For Alvaro this is the first season he is having a full season and maybe it is the first time to face these types of problems,” Conte added.

“He has to work for the team and not lose confidence because the coach, the players. the club and supporters trust him.

“He has to learn to face this situation, to go forward and move on because everyone at Chelsea trusts him.”

Morata has scored 13 goals in 32 appearances this season, with one of those goals coming in a World cup qualifier against Italy in September.

He has 12 goals in 23 starts for Chelsea.