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Three reasons why Juventus should keep Gonzalo Higuain this summer

By John Vaccaro

Chelsea's Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain gestures the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 10, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Chelsea's Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain gestures the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 10, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images) /
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BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – MAY 29: Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri celebrates with the Europa League Trophy following his team’s victory in the UEFA Europa League Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on May 29, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – MAY 29: Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri celebrates with the Europa League Trophy following his team’s victory in the UEFA Europa League Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on May 29, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

2. His best season came with Maurizio Sarri

It seems like Higuain has been a big name for years now, but it wasn’t until Napoli brought in Maurizio Sarri that we saw Higuain truly reach elite status. Before Sarri Higuain’s best season was a 27 goal year in La Liga with Real and in his two seasons at Napoli before Sarri’s arrival he scored a total of 35 Serie A goals in 69 appearances.

In Sarri’s first season, Higuain scored 36 goals in 35 matches. He spent his next season at Juventus and earned a haul of 24 goals in Serie A, which was an impressive season, but wasn’t quite the demolition of the league we saw from him the year before. The following year his total dipped to 16 goals and he fell behind Paulo Dybala for the team lead in scoring.

His half season at AC Milan was a major disappointment and even a reunion with his former manager at Chelsea couldn’t help him turn things around. That might not be the case if they work together again at Juventus.

Higuain would have an entire offseason with a manager who believes in him to regain his form and wouldn’t have to worry about the issues that plagued him at Milan. Sarri’s style of play would ensure that Higuain gets plenty of the service Milan was unable to provide him with and

At Juve, Higuain would have familiarity and chemistry with the players around him on top of having a manager he trusts. Now, I’m not saying I’m expecting 30 goals from Higuain, but I would be shocked if Sarri could get him back to 20. If there was any set of circumstances that could get Higuain back  to his best then this would be it.

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