3 reasons why Gonzalo Higuain might struggle at Chelsea

Having seen his forward line struggle for consistency in front of goal for much of the season, it came as no surprise when Maurizio Sarri identified getting a striker as his primary goal in the winter window, sanctioning the all-out pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain.

The 31-year-old is a former player of Sarri, having played for two seasons under the Italian at the Stadio San Paolo where he scored 36 goals in the 2016/2017 season to break the all-time goals record for Serie A.

Reports have emanated that Alvaro Morata is on his way to Atletico Madrid ahead of a loan move with an obligation to buy at the end of the season, while Krzysztof Piatek is officially a Milan player clearing the way for Higuain to join Chelsea.

With the move completed, Chelsea fans are optimistic that the Argentine international would be the solution to the club's scoring woes, especially given his antecedents while working under Maurizio Sarri.

However, the Blues faithful would do well to keep their optimism in check, as Higuain might not be the messiah they are hoping for. In this piece, we shall take a look at three factors which might see Higuain struggle at Chelsea

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#3 His penchant for going missing on the biggest stages

Higuain misses his penalty attempt in the 2015 Copa America Final against Chile

For all of his goalscoring abilities, Higuain has a knack for going missing on the biggest stages when it matters most, with there being numerous examples of him costing his team when they needed him to step up.

This frequent choke in big matches has led many to question his mentality. Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world, competing in and expected to win all tournaments they participate in, with the club's history and array of players meaning that they are always under pressure to deliver at all times.

The pressure at Chelsea is one which could see Higuain fold under the weight of expectations, given his tendency of doing so in the past.

#2 He has the weight of history against him

Torres was a sensational flop at Chelsea

Andriy Shevchenko, Mateja Kezman, Hernan Crespo, Fernando Torres, Alvaro Morata... Gonzalo Higuain?

The above-listed players are examples of exceptional strikers of the highest abilities who struggled to get going once they arrived Stamford Bridge, with Alvaro Morata the latest in a long line of strikers which dates back almost 15 years to the start of the Abramovic era.

Only a handful of strikers have come to Chelsea and boosted their stock, with Didier Drogba and arguably Diego Costa being the only examples of center forwards who did not struggle to live up to expectations at the West London club.

No doubt about it, Higuain is one of the most high profile strikers in the world (his record speaks for him), but going by precedents, all that might count for nil and he could well go down in history as another big name striker who failed to live up to expectations at Chelsea.

#1 Chelsea is not in the best of forms at the moment

Maurizio Sarri is under pressure at Chelsea

Despite starting the season unbeaten in all competitions for the first four months of Sarri's reign, the loss at Tottenham in November ended that run and the club have struggled for consistency since then.

There have been shocking defeats to Wolves and Leicester in the league, while Arsenal also put some dent in their top four hopes with their victory in the last gameweek.

The Blues are currently in fourth place in the league, but their position is hanging by the balance as they are just three points ahead of Arsenal and a resurgent Manchester United in their battle for a top four spot, while they find themselves an alarming 13 points off pacesetters Liverpool.

Chelsea's inconsistencies mean that Higuain is joining them during testing times, which might see him struggle alongside the club, as against him joining at a stable period which might have eased his transition into the team.