Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata has revealed that his time at Chelsea drove him ‘crazy’, claiming his own teammates even doubted his ability.

The 27-year-old endured a frustrating 18-month spell in the Premier League, during which he struggled for form and fitness, prior to sealing a move to Spain in January this year.

AFP OR LICENSORS 1 Morata has scored in six consecutive games for Atletico

“I’m happier now,” Morata said on COPE radio on Tuesday night. “It wasn’t a good time in my football life, I’d stopped enjoying it. At times I didn’t believe in myself.”

Morata drew criticism from many within the football fraternity during his time in England, particularly Chelsea fans, and the Spain striker believes that rubbed off on his then colleagues.

“I was playing some games in England and I had the feeling that when I got into space, my teammates looked at me and I knew they thought I wouldn’t do anything good with the ball,” he added.

“It was driving me crazy. I had a bad time. I’ve smashed my phone after games. I’ve got home and thrown it against a wall.”

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Morata, who will join Atletico for £55m following the completion of his 18-month loan next summer, has fared a lot better so far in Spain.

The frontman has scored seven goals in 13 appearances in 2019/20 – finding the net in each of his past six domestic games.

Morata is in line to start for Spain in their Euro 2020 qualifier against Malta on Friday and against Romania three days later, having scored three goals in his past three games for his country.