Gonzalo Higuain will thrive in Sarri’s style of play with Chelsea
By Quinn Allen
Gonzalo Higuain to Chelsea is close to a done deal, with the Blues hoping the Argentinian can feature for them in the second leg of the Carabao cup against the Spurs on Thursday.
The reunion of Maurizio Sarri and Gonzalo Higuain is almost complete, with AC Milan being the ones who refuse to secure the deal until they find a replacement for Higuain. Milan is currently trying to sign Krzysztof Piatek from Genoa to relieve the Argentinian.
Higuain had his best season to date in 2015/16 with Napoli under Maurizio Sarri, tying the Serie A record for goals in a season with 36. He was absolutely electrifying under the Italian and there is a very good chance that Sarri can bring the best out of Higuain once again, this time at Stamford Bridge. The 31-year old striker has struggled this year on loan with AC Milan, scoring just six times in 15 appearances during league play.
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The deal would see the striker go on loan to Chelsea until the end of the season, with an option of 12 more months depending on how he performs. But based on the type of production Chelsea has seen up front this season, the expectations aren’t necessarily high for Higuain.
He will be better than Morata
As most know, Chelsea has lacked a true number nine this season, with Eden Hazard playing the role to the best of his ability even though he typically plays out on the flank in Sarri’s 4-3-3 formation. Alvaro Morata has been disappointing this season, and it looks like once the Higuain deal is finalized, the Spaniard will be heading to Atletico Madrid.
Higuain isn’t a typical modern-day striker who has blistering speed and skill, but he has proven over the years that he has a knack for scoring goals. He has a lethal right foot and is a very physical player on the attack. Knowing that his best season was under Sarri is also a huge plus, which shows the Italian boss knows exactly how to use Higuain.
The Argentinian has been a consistent goal-scorer his entire career in some of the top leagues in the world. He was outstanding with Real Madrid from 2007-13, bagging 107 goals in 190 appearances. Then with Napoli over three seasons from 2013-16, he scored 71 goals in 104 appearances. Even with Juventus after he left Napoli, Higuain averaged a goal every second match. He is a proven striker who is fantastic at his job up front.
Morata did a lot of the same before he came to Chelsea, but not quite on the level of Higuain. But with the Spaniard, he was never the center of attention with the Blues because he lacked consistency.
Higuain has looked inconsistent with Milan but I really think it’s because he’s not happy there. He was upset that Juventus sent him out on loan when they signed Cristiano Ronaldo.
Reuniting with a manager like Maurizio Sarri whom he knows inside and out is a very positive asset. Like I said, his best days of football were under this manager so it will feel like familiar territory for Higuain.
This move could help Hazard’s production
If this deal gets finalized as it should, Higuain will be the center of attention up front for the Blues and hopefully, he can score some goals on a consistent basis.
Eden Hazard will get to play on the left flank again instead of playing as a false nine, which could very well help his form. The Belgian is a wizard with the ball at his feet and his speed plays out a lot better on the left. He is a world-class playmaker, so Higuain will have a quality teammate who can feed him through balls and give him chances to do what he does best; bag goals.
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This move is a no-brainer for Chelsea and is exactly what they need in order to try to finish in the top four this season. After a lackluster performance against Arsenal over the weekend where they failed to score at all, they are in serious need of a spark up front. Gonzalo Higuain looks to be the answer.
The Blues will look to finalize the deal by Wednesday evening so Higuain is eligible to play against Tottenham the following night.