Juventus striker Alvaro Morata admits he came close to 'depression' while playing with Chelsea.

The Spaniard endured a disappointing 18-month spell at Stamford Bridge before joining Atletico Madrid in January 2019.

"I've never had depression and I hope I never do, but I came close," Morata said in an interview with El Mundo. "I don't believe it is given the importance that it should.

"When your head doesn't work well, you are your worst enemy. During those times, it doesn't matter what you do, you are always fighting against yourself. Depression is an illness just like breaking your ankle.

"Just as we train in the gym or on the pitch to improve our technique and our tactical abilities, I believe the mind is something you also have to train," the 28-year-old said. "You have to be ready and that [seeing a psychologist] helps you a lot.

"Even for my generation, in recent years, it wasn't seen as something normal to see a psychologist - but inevitably, it has to be something normal. Today it is more common and there will be a day when it will be compulsory. There are people that go through difficult times.

"Had I had a professional, close to me during my [first season] at Chelsea, I think it would have gone better for me."