ClapGonzalo Higuain’s current situation isn’t something anyone would want to be in at any point in his/her life. It isn’t just a confusing time but also a time which makes you wonder if he’s still good enough to play for a Champions League side or not.
His failures for Chelsea showed that he hardly has the quickness in movement anymore. Maurizio Sarri- a father-like figure in his career, dropped him for Olivier Giroud towards the end of the season and the Frenchman even won Chelsea the UEFA Europa League.
At AC Milan, his fitness never helped him settle and find his feet under Rino Gattuso. The back issues hampered his movement and progress. While he did score around eight times for the rossoneri, he didn’t do as much as striker for a top four team should do. The way Krzysztof Piatek played after Higuain’s departure showed what Higuain lacked.
The funny thing though, is the very fact that Juventus had seen it coming. They had wanted Higuain out as he was expected to have multiple fitness issues this past season. Their attempts to swap him with Mauro Icardi failed, but Juve managed to sign Cristiano Ronaldo instead.
But with Sarri now arriving at Juve, Higuain would be wondering where his future lies in the current wilderness.
The Argentine could never go ahead of Giroud in the Chelsea starting line-up. In Turin, he’d have to contend with Ronaldo, if not Icardi himself if his compatriot ends up joining this summer. While Mario Mandzukic seems to be on his way out, it will not help Higuain whatsoever. A player like him wants first team football on a consistent basis- not be a third or second choice striker under a manager whose style is out of Higuain’s reach now due to multiple injury issues.
Chelsea is certainly an option. But the Blues seem to be heading towards a tumultuous transfer ban. Higuain’s registration at Chelsea lasted till the summer because it was a loan deal. If he’s to join them again next season, the transfer ban would have to be lifted. That seems unlikely.
Surprisingly, no other options seem on the horizon. Roma can be a chance for Higuain to comeback to his own best, as the giallorossi look set to sell Edin Dzeko to Inter this summer. It will be the perfect place for him to develop his old traits again. While he would have to press harder playing as a striker under Paulo Fonseca, it’d be like the Old Gonzalo Higuain again. A quicker and a more faster version of the current one.
Napoli have looked at the possibility of signing Icardi, but Higuain’s return could be a good one too. But with the partenopei looking to sign James Rodriguez, it will be doubtful if they shell out big money on another player this summer apart from Hirving Lozano.
But one thing is for sure- this will be a vital summer for Higuain. He has to make the right choice if he has to increase his stock again.
