"I think that Morata is a very good player," Sarri said.
"I think that Morata has the characteristics for playing in my team.
Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata looks set to join Atletico Madrid (Image: GETTY)
“But Morata, one month ago, said he wanted to play in another team, so it was really very difficult for him to give us the 100 percent for his mental situation, I think.
"I think that Morata is potentially a very important player.
“From the physical and technical point of view, he is a very good player and suitable for my football.
“But the situation changed in the last month, so we needed to change."
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Chelsea have snapped up Gonzalo Higuain (Image: GETTY)
Journalist and La Liga expert Sid Lowe says the 26-year-old is lacking self belief and would benefit from a change of scenery.
He told the ESPNFC podcast: “Alvaro Morata is a very curious character and if you ever speak to him.
“He’s very introverted, he’s very conscious of his weaknesses, he’s very conscious of the things he does badly.
“Emotionally maybe a tiny bit fragile.
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri will sanction Alvaro Morata's exit (Image: GETTY)
“It’s very, very difficult to properly analyse because of course we’re talking about genuine elements of concern.
“He said in an interview, I think back in November, that there have been times when he hasn’t been depressed as such but there’s been worrying moments that he’s had to seek psychological counsel at time so when you look at him, you always feel with him like a player who’s looking for the right club.
“Perhaps in part because it feels sometimes like he’s a player still looking for himself, looking for that right fit, looking for an environment in which he feels fully happy and an environment in which he feels he can fully compete.
“I find him a very, very interesting character, a very self-aware character and at the same time a slightly vulnerable one, so I suppose even before you get into the footballing questions, those kind of elements to his personality have to be taken into account.”