Chelsea boss Conte praises experienced Morata

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte marvelled yesterday at the “crazy” transfer fees demanded for players, though he praised 80-million-euro ($92.2-million) newcomer Alvaro Morata as a young but experienced striker with a bright future.The Italian coach said Morata, 24, will be a “first choice” player for his squad in the upcoming Premier League season, a day after Real Madrid and Chelsea announced his transfer.Conte hailed Morata’s experience playing with the Spanish giants and previously with Juventus in the Champions League.“He’s a good striker. He’s a player with the right prospect for Chelsea. He’s very young and for sure he can improve a lot,” he told a press conference on the eve of a pre-season game against Arsenal in Beijing.Chelsea had long been linked to a move for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku but it signed Morata after the Belgian international joined Manchester United instead for a reported 85mn euros.Asked whether the price paid for Morata was fair after he had previously warned about the spending power of Chinese clubs, Conte acknowledged that “for sure this transfer market is crazy”.“I think if you want to buy a simple player, okay, a normal player, you have to start to think to spend 40-50mn euros, and I think this is incredible,” he said.Sky Sports reported earlier that Morata passed his Chelsea medical and was expected to fly to Singapore to link up with his new teammates following their tour in China.Morata, who scored 20 goals in 43 appearances for Real last season on their way to the Champions League and Spanish title, is expected to sign a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.“This is the best club,” Morata told Sky at Heathrow airport as he arrived in London on Thursday.“Antonio Conte is one of the best coaches in the world and I’m so happy to work with Antonio. The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world and I’m so happy to be here.”Blues boss Antonio Conte has been keen to sign a striker having informed Diego Costa that he is free to find a new club.Morata had previously been linked with a move to Manchester United, but their interest ended after signing Romelu Lukaku from Everton for an initial £75mn.The Spanish international is set to become Chelsea’s fourth major signing in the close season after Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger and Willy Caballero.Arsenal had a tough week with several players hit by food poisoning in Shanghai, where they played under searing heat against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The London team won 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger said 21 players were fit for today’s game, but he voiced doubts that Theo Walcott could play.“I don’t think he will be ready for tomorrow but it’s nothing major,” he said.While it is a pre-season game, Wenger promised a competitive match against Arsenal’s London rivals at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing.“It’s not really a friendly” because of the historic rivalry, he said. “There’s always some pride at stake.”Arsenal defeated Chelsea to win the FA Cup in May, while the Blues won the Premier League title.