When Chelsea signed Gonzalo Higuain in January on an expensive, initial loan deal – with a view to turning the transfer permanent in the summer – the Argentine was expected to score the goals to secure Champions League football.
While Higuain has not been terrible in his overall play – and it is still early days – the Blues certainly will have expected more of an impact from the 31-year-old.
Sarri on Higuain: “He can do more. He was improving, but then he had some problems at the beginning of the week. He had a strong stomach fever so today it was normal that he could only play for 60 minutes. He needs to improve his physical condition and mental condition” #CFC— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) March 17, 2019
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri defended Gonzalo Higuain after defeat to Everton.
Higuain had returned after suffering an illness during the week.
Sarri said, “You have to stay in the match if you are not able to score. In the first half we had six or seven goal opportunities.
We were not able to score but we had only to stay in the match and defend very well, and sooner or later if you are able to create the opportunities you score.
“Today Gonzalo Higuain had an opportunity,” he added, “but too few for him. He had a problem at the start of the week, a strong stomach ache with fever so today it is normal he was able to play for 60 to 65 minutes, but he needs to improve his physical and mental condition.”
His lack of sharpness after returning from illness was again apparent in the 2-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday as he was hauled off in the 65th minute at Goodison Park.
Goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson have thrown Chelsea’s top four hopes into renewed doubt, as they are now three points behind Arsenal – who occupy the final Champions League place – and a point shy of Man Utd in fifth position.
Sarri says that Higuain still needs to improve. He was only able to play 65 minutes today because of illness earlier in the week, but he still has to improve.#EVECHE— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 17, 2019
So far, it is fair to say that in a scoring sense, Higuain has been little to no improvement on Alvaro Morata, who boasted a similar record in his time at the club. Higuain’s performances may also lead the Blues to think twice about signing him permanently in the summer for £32 million from Juventus, regardless of what happens with their transfer ban.
A lack of goals has been a problem across the squad this season – the exception being Eden Hazard, who is the club’s top scorer with 16 goals.
Hazard was the saviour against Wolves last time out, with a last-minute strike helping his side avoid an embarrassing home defeat. The Belgian has been involved in 48 per cent of his club’s goals this campaign when you include assists.