The lowdown on Chelsea new boy Higuain
Gonzalo Higuain is expected to join Chelsea. The 31-year-old, currently on loan at AC Milan from Juventus, excelled under Blues boss Maurizio Sarri when they were both at Napoli. Here’s the lowdown on the Argentina striker.
Family man
His father Jorge was a professional footballer, before becoming a lawyer. “From my father, who was a lawyer, I inherited mental strength, malice and the way to annoy defenders, but that’s a secret,” Higuain told La Stampa in February 2017. Another thing Higuain inherited from his father is his nickname ‘El Pipita’, which is linked to his father’s Pipa moniker, something to do with having a big nose. He has two brothers. His elder brother Federico has been a professional player for Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew since 2012.
French connection
Higuain was born in France, on December 10, 1987, while his father Jorge was playing for Brest in Brittany. He was just 10 months old when the family moved to Argentina, but received French citizenship in January 2007. He turned down a call up from Raymond Domenech’s Les Bleus in November 2006, when he was 18. “It’s a choice from my heart,” he told L’Equipe. He has 31 goals in 75 Argentina appearances, since making his debut in October 2009.
Admiration for Ronaldo
Not Cristiano, no. “Ronaldo, the Brazilian one, was the best at everything,” Higuain told La Stampa two years ago. “He is the only player who I have watched on video and tried to imitate, but it’s very hard.” Higuain followed Ronaldo’s footsteps to the Bernabeu, signing from River Plate in December 2006. Cristiano Ronaldo followed in June 2009, but Higuain’s move to Napoli in July 2013 – after 107 goals in 190 league games for Real – was reportedly at the behest of the Portuguese.
A Sicilian flavour
When Rafa Benitez left his successful spell as interim Chelsea boss, he joined Napoli for the 2013-14 season. Higuain was his star striker, scoring 17 league goals. There were 18 more the following season, before Maurizio Sarri was appointed. Higuain broke the single-season Serie A record for goals scored in 2015-16, netting 36 in 35 games in his only campaign under Sarri, now the Chelsea head coach. Another former Chelsea manager is now Napoli boss, Carlo Ancelotti. He expressed regret at selling Higuain when he was Real Madrid manager.
Old Lady luck
Juventus activated a release clause in Higuain’s contract to sign him for Euros 90million in July 2016, scoring 55 goals in 105 games for the Old Lady. When Cristiano Ronaldo swapped Madrid for Turin, Higuain was the one to depart, on loan to AC Milan. Higuain has scored eight goals in 20 appearances for AC Milan this season – Alvaro Morata has nine Chelsea goals this term – but just one goal in his last 12 appearances.
