Alvaro Morata has scored three goals in his first three Chelsea games (Picture: Getty)

Gianfranco Zola believes it is still too early to judge whether or not Alvaro Morata will prove a worthy successor to Diego Costa.

Chelsea invested an initial £58million in order to purchase the Spain international from Real Madrid and despite a truncated pre-season, the 24-year-old has hit the ground running with three goals in his opening four matches for the Premier League champions.

Aside from his goalscoring prowess, Morata already appears to have developed an understanding with his teammates but club legend Zola is keen to see if the striker can maintain his form over the course of a full season, having rarely been a first choice option at his previous clubs.

‘I know he is a very talented player with amazing skills, but he has never been a regular,’ Zola told talkSPORT.

Diego Costa, Morata’s predecessor, scored 50 goals in three Premier League seasons (Picture: Getty)

Conte on Morata

‘It’s always important for the striker to score but for me, it’s very important for me to see he’s improving and more involved in our idea of football. For me this is the most important thing. Then if he scores I’m very happy, and I’m pleased for the player.’

‘He played with Juventus and he wasn’t a regular, the same for Real Madrid.

‘Nobody doubts his qualities but he is still young and needs to find consistency because when you play for teams like Juventus, Real Madrid and Chelsea you have to be consistent.

‘Obviously Antonio Conte with his methods, his work ethic, he is helping him a lot and it seems he is going in the right direction.

‘For Chelsea, the main striker is a vital position and if he plays well then Hazard, Pedro, Willian, all the players around him, will play well also.’

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