Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has told his former Real Madrid teammates he's convinced they can beat Barcelona in their Champions League playoff.

Morata remains in contact with several Real players via a Whatsapp group and spoke with his ex-teammates again yesterday following the Champions League round of 16 draw.

Don Balon says Morata is adamant the Blues locker room believes they can hurt Barca, particularly in midfield. Morata told his Spanish pals that N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas are superior to their Barca counterparts.

Morata's opinion flies in the face of Lionel Messi's belief, with the Argentine telling friends Barca's players are happy to have drawn Chelsea at this stage in the competition. Messi rates Manchester City and PSG as Barca's biggest threats for this season's European crown.