Alvaro Morata Calls For Better Mental Health Care

Alvaro Morata has called for better mental health support within football, saying his time at Chelsea may have been different if that were already the case.

In recent years football has become more adept at dealing with mental health issues and depression, as has the world in general.

Stories like those of Blackburn Rovers player Tyrhys Dolan, who opened up about mental health problems after the passing of his best friend, and former Manchester City academy player Jeremy Wisten, who took his own life, have become inspiring to others who struggle with mental health.

Support is available for players at big clubs but Juventus striker Morata believes that more can be done and thinks eventually it will become part of life for footballers, like training.

"I've never had a depression and I hope I never do but I came close," he told El Mundo whilst on international duty with Spain.

"I don't believe it is given the importance that it has.

"When your head doesn't work well, you are your worst enemy. During those times, it doesn't matter what you do, you are always fighting against yourself.

"Depression is an illness just like breaking your ankle."

Morata struggled for form in west London. Image: PA Images

Talking about mental health coming into their training, the former Real Madrid forward added, "Just as we train in the gym or on the pitch to improve our technique and our tactical abilities, I believe the mind is something you also have to train.

"You have to be ready and that [seeing a psychologist] helps you a lot.

"Even for my generation, in recent years, it wasn't seen as something normal to see a psychologist. But inevitably, it has to be something normal. Today it is more common and there will be a day when it will be compulsory. There are people that go through difficult times..."

Morata played for Chelsea for a season and a half, before moving back to Spain to play for Atletico Madrid, and things never really got going for him in the Premier League.

Morata returned to Juventus last summer and he seems happy there. Image: PA Images

The 28-year-old said that he believes having someone to talk to in the first season would have been helpful, "Had I had a professional, close to me during my time [first season] at Chelsea, I think it would have gone better for me."

And the Juve striker confirmed he does currently see a psychologist adding, "It's not a case of whether I will [mentally] fall or not again. It's about seeing a person and sharing your point of view with someone who is impartial, who is going to be honest with you.

"You can't clean your mind like you clean your teeth. You must get things out of your head. I think to talk to someone, and one that can understand you, is important."

Topics: Chelsea, Football, Serie A, Alvaro Morata, Juventus, Champions League

Ryan Sidle

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