Chelsea star Gonzalo Higuain determined to shine under Maurizio Sarri again
Gonzalo Higuain has found opposition defenders a lot tougher in England but is already confident he can make a big impact for Chelsea.
The 31-year-old scored his first two goals for the club in the 5-0 victory over Huddersfield on Saturday . The striker can be bought permanently at the end of the campaign for £31.3m or have his loan agreement with Juventus extended by 12 months for £15.6m.
The Argentine is already convinced he has made the right move. “I can see there is a change from the Italian league because here the defenders go into you harder, especially when you receive the ball to feet," he said. “This is a big difference, but I have got a good impression of English football and as I gradually get to know my team-mates it will only get better for me.
“When I was growing up I watched all of the different leagues, but especially lately you see a lot more of the Premier League so I knew about it before I came here.
“I think it’s a very fascinating league and also the way they play here in England — with a lot of dynamism — is really great. The stadiums are full, there’s a great atmosphere, so this is something very nice for the players and in the streets you can go about your day very calmly, very relaxed. You don’t have to worry about many things and this is important for the players because it actually allows you live life like an ordinary person.”
Higuain set a Serie A record under Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri at Napoli in 2015-16, finding the net 36 times.
The former Real Madrid star did not come close to that form in the first half of this campaign on loan at AC Milan, where scored just six times, but he is convinced Sarri can help him become prolific once again.
“Sarri is the coach who has got the best out of me as a player," he said. “He’s someone who knew how to work with me, particularly on the emotional side. That (2015-16) was a wonderful season, one in which I broke the goal-scoring record, which is very important out there. It was a fantastic year for myself and Maurizio, a period which we shared together, even though it was for a short time.
“I’m just happy to be working with him again at a big club, which has so much history and wonderful team-mates. I’m really happy to have been given the opportunity to do that and I want to get back to that level.
“I think everything is set on the right path to achieve our goals by the end of the season.”
Chelsea’s next match is at Manchester City on Sunday and Sarri has given the squad two days off before they return to training tomorrow. Starting with the trip to Etihad Stadium, the Blues face six fixtures in the space of 18 days this month.
