Alvaro Morata has revealed the role Cesar Azpilicueta played in his move to Chelsea and how his Spain teammate reacted to him nearly joining the club last year.
The 24-year-old joined the Blues in July in a deal worth around £60million but confirmed he was 'close' to signing for Chelsea during the previous summer.
Azpilicueta has even started looking at houses for his compatriot and was 'a bit annoyed' after learning he was staying at Real Madrid.
'Last summer it was close,' Morata told the Daily Mail when asked about his move to Stamford
'Cesar Azpilicueta was a bit annoyed because he had already started house-hunting for me. This time, Cesar has sorted everything.'
Morata endured a difficult start to his career in west London, missing a penalty in Chelsea's Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in early August.
The former Real star has netted three goals in his last four appearances and said: 'When I first came, I felt a lot of pressure.
'The price tag is a big deal. I missed an important penalty in the Community Shield. I knew straight away I would need to grit my teeth and that there would be a load of criticism.
'It only made me more determined to prove any critics wrong and work harder than ever before.
'In that period, where I couldn't score, you start driving yourself mad. It goes through your head constantly: "I need a goal, I need a goal."
'The more you think, the harder it gets. Goals flow when you play with a smile and don't think too much.'
Morata will hope to continue his fine run when London rivals Arsenal make the short trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon
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