LONDON • Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has backed Gonzalo Higuain to make an instant impact at Stamford Bridge as the Argentinian striker prepares for his Chelsea debut.
Higuain joined the club on loan from Juventus last Thursday and could make his first appearance for the Blues in the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday today.
"There are players who need to be rested and it could be an opportunity," Zola told reporters on Friday.
The 31-year-old was at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea's League Cup semi-final win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, but had not completed his move in time to be registered for that match.
If Higuain does start against second-tier Wednesday at the Bridge, he would likely take the place of Olivier Giroud, who has scored just once in his last 12 appearances.
Giroud and Spaniard Alvaro Morata have both struggled so badly this season that Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri made Higuain his top target in the January transfer window.
Zola expects the former Real Madrid star, who spent the first half of this season on loan at AC Milan, to get up to speed quickly in his first taste of English football.
"We're talking about a player who has scored not only in Italy but everywhere, also in the Champions League," Zola added.
"I'm sure he can handle expectations. He's always produced good numbers wherever he's been. We're going to help Higuain to get his goals."
Higuain thrived during his time playing for Sarri at Napoli, scoring a Serie A record 36 goals in 2015-16.
He also played with Chelsea midfielder Jorginho at Napoli and Zola hopes that extra familiarity will play a role in helping Higuain slot into the team.
"It's a system he knows very well, so this is a big advantage. The type of players will help him to do what he does best," Zola said.
"The conditions are good. There is no problem there."
While Chelsea have added a new striker, the injury woes up front for their London rivals Tottenham could force the club to return to the transfer market.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino had expected the club to sit out the current transfer period as they budget for the cost of their long-delayed new stadium.
But Tottenham, who face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fourth round today, have been rocked by injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli, with the duo ruled out until March.
Adding to Pochettino's frustration, Moussa Sissoko and Ben Davies also suffered injuries against Chelsea.
Asked whether there was a chance of making a signing before Thursday's transfer deadline, Pochettino said: "Always, we'll see. Still six days. We are working. We have a few options.
"We are always hoping to try to add quality and try to improve the squad. We are open (to make a move) like always. Different options. In England, outside of England."
Tottenham's problems eased a little on Friday when South Korea were knocked out of the Asian Cup by Qatar, meaning Son Heung-min will be back with the team earlier than expected.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
CRYSTAL PALACE V TOTTENHAM
Singtel TV Ch111, 11.55pm
CHELSEA V SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Ch111, tomorrow, 2am
Need to translate "axe" to Spanish? Here are 4 ways to say it. How to say axe in Spanish What's the Spanish word for axe? Here's a list of translations. Spanish
Axe in Spanish | English to Spanish Translation - SpanishDict
Football: Sarri fears Chelsea ban will ruin title hopes. Chelsea's success next season hinges on transfer ban being lifted, says former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
More racial abuse cases heighten calls for action
The £3.5million Spurs paid Burnley for Kieran Trippier back in 2015 has proved to be an absolute steal. While the 28-year-old had to initially bide his time on the sidelines following his move to White Hart Lane, Trippier is now first choice for club and country.
Coach tells Zaniolo to stay focused despite brace, Football
Rescuers ended their search, on Thursday, for the plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala, which disappeared over the English Channel three days ago, after saying there was
UK rescuers end search for missing plane carrying soccer
May 06, 2019 · Liverpool host Barcelona tomorrow in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal. The Reds have it all to do after losing the first leg in Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium, 3-0. But it is
Liverpool's Champions League win over Barcelona will stay
Football: Depay fires Dutch past Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying opener ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (AFP) - Memphis Depay dazzled for the Netherlands with a brace and two assists as they cruised past Belarus 4-0 in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday (March 21) despite having to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men.
Depay fires Dutch past Belarus in Euro 2020 qualifying opener
Another Reds` chance came from a Chris Jones corner which was met by Carlos Indja at the far post, but he steered his finish just off target. Despite their overall dominance, the hosts had still failed to break the deadlock at the interval, and it was still all to play for in the second half.
Missed chances and red card combine to ko Reds' FA Cup hopes
barnsleynewsandsport.com/2018/01/06/missed-chances-red-card-combine-ko-reds-fa-cup-hopes/
Missed chances and red card combine to ko Reds' FA Cup hopes. January 6th, 2018. Millwall 4, Barnsley 1 (FA Cup, third round) At first glance this looks like a thrashing for Barnsley at the hands of a team they defeated 3-1 on the same ground in a Championship match at the end of September.
Origi missed late chance for Liverpool at West Ham - Fussboll
The striker scored 34 goals in 36 games for Barcelona, putting him ahead of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Tottenham's Harry Kane Lionel Messi collected a record fifth Golden Shoe award on Tuesday
Lionel Messi claims record 5th Golden Shoe - YouTube
Barcelona's defence were completely caught out by Divock Origi's winner as Liverpool went through 4-3 on aggregate Barcelona striker Luis Suarez said his side "looked like schoolboys" for
Luis Suarez says Barcelona 'looked like schoolboys' defending
For those who have questioned whether the magic of the FA Cup is alive and well, this year's Cup has been proof that there's still a bit of sparkle left in the competition. Rarely do non-league sides make such long runs in the FA Cup, but this year served up Sutton United's run to the Fifth
Magic of the FA Cup is alive and well, says Parkinson | The
Manchester City net two late goals to register a dramatic 3-2 victory over Schalke 04 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Germany. However, Leroy Sane came off the bench to
Champions League: Leroy Sané haunts Schalke as City stage
Report Ad
Check Out Career Tops on eBay. Fill Your Cart With Color Today!
Lionel Messi wants Ernesto Valverde to continue as Barcelona coach but admits the team have not recovered from their Champions League loss to Liverpool as they face Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday. After winning La Liga by 11 points, Barca can complete a domestic double by beating
Messi backs Valverde but admits Barca are still hurting | Sport24
0 comments:
Post a Comment