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Chelsea are on the verge of signing Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain on an initial six months loan with an option to permanently buy the striker at the end of the season. Reports also suggest that the Blues will also have the option of adding a one year extension to the initial loan if the striker meets certain targets agreed on the contract.
Higuain who is currently on loan at AC Milan from Juventus is expected to move to London and be the club's main striker after the Italian club agreed on a deal with Chelsea. However, it is believed that the move will be finalized after Milan agree a deal with Genoa over the transfer of Krzystof Piatek, who has been identified by Milan as the possible replacement for Gonzalo Higuain.
Why the move makes sense for Chelsea
Chelsea have struggled to find a proper no. 9 since Diego Costa left the club. This season, the lack of an established goalscorer has been one of the reasons why Chelsea has been more reliant on Eden Hazard to deliver even at times when the Belgian had struggled. Both Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud have performed below expectations since making the switch to Chelsea. This season, the two strikers have only found the back of the net a combined 6 times in the premier league and their poor form has made the Chelsea boss to frequently use Eden Hazard as the false 9.
Acquiring Higuain this January will mean Hazard returns to his favoured left wing position where he will be able to fully utilize his strength. Hazard will influence the game more out wide as he will be able to express himself more on the ball. This will be a very good short term solution for that center forward position as Higuain is a natural goalscorer and there is no doubt that he will benefit a lot from Hazard's creativity and Chelsea's style of play.
Higuain is not new to Sarri's style of play as he had worked under the Italian for one season at Napoli before he moved to Juventus. In his season at Stadio San Paolo under Sarri, he managed to score 40 goals in just 38 starts, making it the most prolific season of his career. This makes him a more ready striker for the Chelsea boss than any other forward currently on the market.
A proven Goalscorer
Higuain is an experienced player who has played over 560 games for both club and country. The Argentine international has consistently been one of the most prolific strikers in Europe since moving from River Plate in 2007. Out of the 12 seasons that he has been in Europe, he has managed to score over 20 domestic league goals in 5 of them. Higuain has also scored a total of 290 goals for club and country in his career. This season, he has been involved in 9 goals in the Serie A.
Higuain will easily be an upgrade on Alvaro Morata despite being 31 years old since he has phenomenal goal-scoring abilities and he understands Sarri's style of play. He will add the strength, power and the energy that has been lacking since the days of Diego Costa.
Despite being phenomenal in front of goal, the Argentine can also create chances for his teammates as shown by his numbers in the Serie A this season. He has created an average of 1.4 chances per game. His link-up play and his ability to hold onto possession high up the pitch is also something that Moratta struggles most of the time. He has an unbelievable hold up play and can retain the ball with his back to goal or use his strength to turn and create spaces to shoot.
Higuain will be a good addition to Chelsea and a perfect short term solution for the club who are looking to add a natural goalscorer on their ranks. With a front 3 of Hazard, Gonzalo Higuain and either of Willian or Pedro, Chelsea will be a force up front for the rest season.
