When Romelu Lukaku rejected the chance to rejoin Chelsea in favour of Manchester United this summer, Antonio Conte was understandably furious.

Conte was certain he'd landed the Belgian striker until a late change of heart saw him swap Everton's Goodison Park for Old Trafford instead.

In the end, Chelsea signed Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid for an initial £58 million, which Conte insisted was always the plan.

"For sure this transfer market is a crazy market, but it is not only for this season but for the future seasons," said the Italian in July. "Now there is crazy money.

"If you want to buy a normal player you need to spend €40-50 million. It is the same. Lukaku cost a lot of money, the same with [Alexandre] Lacazette.

"For a right back you spend €50-60 million. It is very important the choice.

"Morata for sure is our first choice. He is a good player, the right prospect for Chelsea and hopes to show his value with us."

Regardless of who was actually Conte's first choice in the transfer window, Morata has proved just as good a signing for Chelsea as Lukaku has for United.

Six goals and two assists in six Premier League starts is a marvellous return for someone who played second fiddle to Karim Benzema all last season.

In comparison, Lukaku has managed one more goal but one less assist in seven starts.

Morata is quickly establishing himself as a fan favourite at Chelsea, but there were concerns against Manchester City on Saturday that he injured his hamstring.

The Spaniard pulled up and had to be replaced by Willian in the 35th minute, although he told friends afterwards that he would only be out for a few days.

In fact, Morata said he would be fit to face Crystal Palace on October 14. Well, it turns out Morata couldn't have been more wrong.

According to the Daily Mail, the Spanish Football Federation have said Morata could be out for six to eight weeks after an MRI scan revealed a grade two hamstring injury.

Safe to say there's no chance of him playing against Palace.

Morata's confirmed injury is the worst possible news for Chelsea fans and Conte, who will now turn to his second-choice striker to lead the line: Michy Batshuayi.