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Arsene Wenger: My thoughts on Chelsea signings Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata
ARSENE WENGER has been full of praise for Chelsea new boys Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata.
Arsene Wenger praises Chelsea new boys Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata
Chelsea spent £100million signing midfielder Bakayoko and striker Morata from Monaco and Real Madrid, respectively.
Wenger believes Bakayoko is the natural replacement for Nemanja Matic, who left Chelsea for Manchester United in a £40m deal.
And while Morata is less of a goalscorer than departing Blues striker Diego Costa, Wenger is confident Morata will play a key part in Chelsea’s title defence.
Arsenal take on Chelsea in the Community Shield today.
Alvaro Morata cost Chelsea a club record £60m
Arsene Wenger praises Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata signings
But Bakayoko misses out through injury as Morata has to settle for a place on the bench with Michy Batshuayi favoured up front.
Wenger said ahead of their Wembley clash: “I would say that Chelsea look like they have kept the basis of 95 per cent of their squad.
Arsene Wenger says Tiemoue Bakayoko is the ideal replacement for Nemanja Matic
“They have added Tiemoue Bakayoko, who is a very strong player, a strong ball-winner, similar to Nemanja Matic, maybe less of a distance runner but more of an impact player.
“But certainly [Chelsea] will fight for the championship again.
”They have replaced Costa with Morata. Morata is maybe less of a goalscorer than Costa, but he can score and provide as well."