Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri expects on-loan striker Gonzalo Higuain to remain at Stamford Bridge – but hinted that he’s not yet hit the heights.
The Argentine has scored four goals in 12 starts and two sub appearances since signing on loan Juventus in January.
His displays have been up-and-down and he didn’t impress in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday.
After, the Blues coach was questioned about his future of the 31-year-old.
Asked if Higuain would stay, Sarri replied: “In theory, yes.
“It’s difficult to adapt to the Premier League. I think in the next season he will be able to score a lot.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
“For a striker it is difficult to get used to the Premier League. I remember Suarez at Liverpool in his first season only scored three goals, then 16, then 24.”
In the build up to the game he said it will take a while to close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool.
“I am sure that, in two seasons, we will be able to be close to them,” he said. “But I am not sure, in two seasons, we’ll be able to be better than them.
“When I arrived in Naples, Napoli had finished 24 points from Juventus. In the first season we ended up nine points from Juventus. In the second season it was five points and, in the third season, four points.
“For us it was impossible for us to cover completely the gap but we were very close to doing it.”
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had his say on Sarri’s first year in the Premier League.
(Image: PA)
“For Sarri it is his first season in England,” Wenger told beIN Sports.
“He certainly likes a game with possession his team has good possession but they lack goals.
“If you compare the possession they have – always in every game around 70 per cent – and the number of goals they score, I think they have not enough players who are going behind defenders.
“They don’t have enough pace to take advantage.
“Hazard has to come deep to make the difference on his own sometimes.”
