Gonzalo Higuain: Chelsea target superstar striker but how does he compare to Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud?

Gonzalo Higuain: Chelsea target superstar striker but how does he compare to Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud?
Chelsea are close to signing striker Gonzalo Higuain on loan with an option to buy, according to reports.The Blues are having to overcome the difficulty of dealing with Juventus and current loan side AC Milan to secure a deal.AC Milan ace could replace Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud at Chelsea.1
AC Milan ace could replace Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud at Chelsea.
Higuain, 31, still has obstacles to overcome to get a move sealed with Tuttosport suggesting the Premier League side’s opening offer has been rejected, despite the player’s brother being in London, seemingly to thrash out personal terms.The Argentine is being chased as Maurizio Sarri looks for a proven goalscorer and understandably the Italian has turned to the player who, at Napoli in 2015/16, scored 38 goals in 42 games under his tutelage.But his ability is on the wane as he enters the latter stages of his career, so how does he compare with Sarri’s current options, Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, this season?talkSPORT.com takes a look at the statistics…

Goals

Strikers will always be judged on how often they stick the ball in the back of the net and Giroud more than anyone knows that.At Arsenal the Frenchman had a double figure goal tally in all five full Premier League campaigns he played for the club but was still considered profligate by supporters and eventually ditched, despite some clutch cameos.This season he’s only managed one goal in the 607 league minutes he has played in six starts and 10 substitute appearances.Team-mate Morata, meanwhile, has five strikes in 943 minutes, which includes 11 starts and five substitute roles.But Higuain hardly seems the ideal replacement when he has only netted six goals for AC Milan in 1280 minutes on the pitch.

Higuain vs Morata vs Giroud

  • Gonzalo Higuain – 0.4 league goals per 90 minutes
  • Alvaro Morata – 0.5league goals per 90 minutes
  • Olivier Giroud – 0.1league goals per 90 minutes
It should also be noted all three players have been getting minutes in the Europa League and they have all been more prolific.Higuain has two goals in 450 minutes of action, Morata has netted the same amount in just 233 minutes, and Giroud leads the way with an impressive four in 309 minutes, although the level of opposition has been low.

Shots

If you don’t buy a ticket, you won’t win the raffle goes the old adage – and it’s right.Europe’s top marksmen are all those who take a high proportion of shots every 90 minutes; Cristiano Ronaldo is averaging 6.9 with Juventus, Lionel Messi has 5.3, Sergio Aguero 4.7, Kylian Mbappe 4.6, and Harry Kane 3.5.So how do the Chelsea men and Higuain fare when it comes to attempts on goal?

Higuain vs Morata vs Giroud

  • Gonzalo Higuain – 3.9 shots per 90 in Serie A
  • Alvaro Morata – 3.3 shots per 90 in the Premier League
  • Olivier Giroud – 3.3 shots per 90 in the Premier League
By the looks of things, Higuain may suffer a dip in output if he were to join Chelsea which, logically, isn’t much of a surprise give the amount they play through Eden Hazard in attacking areas, which allows him 2.8 shots per 90 in the English top flight.Higuain’s arrival could see the Blues increase their shooting from distance as well given he attempts 1.5 shots per 90 minutes from outside of the box, whereas Morata and Giroud take just 0.7 and 0.3 respectively.This would, perhaps obviously, see a dip in attempts from close range given Higuain has attempted just 0.1 shots per game in the six yard box, in contrast to the 0.4 and 0.3 of Morata and Giroud.Accuracy, though, leaves everyone wanting, with the Spaniard edging out his possible replacement and his understudy this season.

Higuain vs Morata vs Giroud

  • Gonzalo Higuain – 1.4 shots on target per 90, 1.2 off target and 1.5 blocked
  • Alvaro Morata – 1.5 shots on target per 90, 1 off target, and 0.9 blocked
  • Olivier Giroud – 1 shot on target per 90, 1.6 off target, and 0.6 blocked

Loss of possession

Nothing gets the crowd on the back of a striker more than him losing the ball in attacking areas – it’s frustrating to watch.In this regard, the Argentine looks like he will provide improvement over his Spanish rival, while Giroud still holds his own having been dispossessed just 0.6 times per 90 – an excellent total compared to Morata’s 2.1 and Higuain’s 1.8. Giroud has also recorded fewer poor touches, giving a nod to his talents as a old school No.9.

Higuain vs Morata vs Giroud

  • Gonzalo Higuain – 2.5 bad controls per 90 minutes
  • Alvaro Morata – 2.7 bad controls per 90 minutes
  • Olivier Giroud – 2.2 bad controls per 90 minutes

Aerial ability

Morata and Giroud are both very much traditional ‘big men’ measuring in at 6ft2in and 6ft4in, respectively, while Higuain is a touch smaller at 6ft1in.As you would expect, the current AC Milan ace doesn’t add as much in the air with just 1.8 aerial duels per 90 minutes.Morata has managed 4.4 and Giroud an impressive 5.9, with the latter also managing to win four per 90 minutes – far better than Higuain’s 0.7 and Morata’s 1.7.This could see Chelsea alter their style if Higuain arrives to keep the ball on the floor a lot more than they have previously.

Build-up play

In the modern era it’s vital for strikers to help create goals as well as put them in the back of the net.Chelsea, despite some recent difficulties, are a fluid side and could do with a more engaged forward to aid and assist with the wingers and No.8s.Higuain offers the ability to play both long and short passes while Morata and Giroud are relatively two dimensional, offering short passes and lay-offs, while the duo are also more prone to errors than the Argentine.

Higuain vs Morata vs Giroud

Long balls
  • Gonzalo Higuain – 2.3 accurate per 90 and 0.3 inaccurate
  • Alvaro Morata – 0.4 accurate per 90 and 0.5 inaccurate
  • Olivier Giroud – 0.6 accurate per 90 and 0 inaccurate
Short passes
  • Gonzalo Higuain – 17.3 accurate per 90 and 3.5 inaccurate
  • Alvaro Morata – 16.4 accurate per 90 and 4.6 inaccurate
  • Olivier Giroud – 19.6 accurate per 90 and 9.3 inaccurate

Key passes

We know Higuain has the better range and accuracy when it comes to ball-playing, but is he creative to go with it?Well, the answer is mixed, as he clearly adds more than Morata but lacks compared to target man Giroud.The way the Frenchman plays does allow more knockdowns and lay offs, so it’s not too big a deal he’s ahead of Higuain if Sarri is intent on making sure the ball stays on the floor.

Higuain vs Morata vs Giroud

  • Gonzalo Higuain – 1.3 key passes per 90 minutes and one assist
  • Alvaro Morata – 0.7 key passes per 90 minutes and no assists
  • Olivier Giroud 2.2 key passes per 90 minutes and four assists

Conclusion

Higuain looks to be an improvement on Morata and Giroud, and his previous relationship with Maurizio Sarri could really help him find his way at Stamford Bridge.But it doesn’t look like the additional goals and overall play he will bring will be enough to turn Chelsea into title challengers.If it is only a loan deal then it’s probably a good move to capture Higuain, but any talk of a 32million deal in summer, unless he proves otherwise, looks to be a big, big risk.

Frank Lampard is doing well with Derby.

Arsenal fans finally have something to smile about after seeing their new set of kits leaked online. Ian Wright let slip their home and away shirts on social media last month, sparking a frenzy from supporters online before his post was deleted.
Arsenal 2019/20 third kit 'leaked' images: Gunn | SportSpyder

Lukaku has scored 42 goals in 90 matches for Manchester United

Barcelona 3-0 Man Utd: Unstoppable Lionel Messi DUMPS Man Utd out of Champions League LIONEL MESSI delivered another masterclass as Barcelona ended Manchester United's hopes of another improbable
Barcelona in pole position as Man Utd fail to shine at home

Chalmers scored 231 goals for Celtic in 406 games, including the most important of all, when he scored in the 1967 European Cup final

Almiron brushes off pressure talk as record signing prepares for Magpies debut Newcastle's record signing Miguel Almiron insists he will not be weighed down by his price-tag (Owen Humphreys/PA) Miguel Almiron has insisted he will not be bowed down by the pressure of being Newcastle 's record signing as he prepares for his first taste of
Almiron brushes off pressure talk as record signing prepares

City were denied a memorable win by VAR

Manchester United fans are desperate to see Diogo Dalot replace 'finished' Ashley Young after Barcelona display by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 11 Apr Diogo Dalot's performance for Manchester United on Wednesday night underlined just how much potential the starlet has.
Manchester United fans are desperate to see Diogo Dalot

Man United star Alexis Sanchez is set to face his old club Arsenal

Arsenal loan flop Denis Suarez hits back at critics on Twitter - 'Don't talk about my workouts if you have no idea' Written by: fpnews Posted on: March 23, 2019 Arsenal's flopped loan signing Denis Suarez has hit back at his critics on social media.
Denis Suarez hits back at Arsenal training claims in style

Unai Emery is aiming to finish in the top four with Arsenal but might not make it

Peter Crouch announces birth of baby boy with joke he's named him after Divock Origi. Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch took to Twitter to announce the birth of his new baby boy
(Photo) Peter Crouch jokes he's named baby after Liverpool's

Zidane is favourite to take over at Chelsea

Liverpool are reportedly unlikely to recall on-loan midfielder Harry Wilson during the January transfer window.. Wilson is currently on a season-long loan deal with Championship side Derby County
Liverpool could recall Wilson from loan in January, confirms

Real Madrid have missed Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals this season
~ Manchester City increase season ticket prices by three per

Joe Rodon has been a regular for Swansea at centre-back

Angemeldet bleiben Jetzt abmelden! Thierry Henry glares at Loic Badiashile as Monaco youngster forgets to tuck in his chair at the end of Champions League press conference https: Benaglio ist im rechten Eck und lenkt den Flachschuss mit den Fingerspitzen gerade noch um den Pfosten.
Besiktas 1-[3] Genk - Dieumerci Ndongala 81' : soccer

Lucas Moura was the hero for Spurs as his hat-trick sent them through to next month’s final

Radamel Falcao: 21 things you should know about the new Manchester United striker He's named after a Brazilian legend, nicknamed El Tigre, his idol is Theirry Henry and his dad could play a bit, too
Breaking | Football Leaks Headline: Manchester United paid AS

Messi has now scored against all of the ‘Big Six’

Jose Mourinho has named his Champions League team of the season, and he has chosen six Liverpool players in the squad.. The former Manchester United manager picked his best team from this season's
Jose Mourinho next job: Former Manchester United manager gets

Fruchtl is one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in the world and seen as Manuel Neuer’s replacement for club and country

Southampton vs West HamPremier League 2018-19 Venue: St. Mary's, Southampton Felipe Anderson's six-minute brace sunk Southampton 2-1 and dragged West Ham into the Premier League's top 10. The
Southampton star Mario Lemina hit with £96,000 speeding fine

Former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel joined Fulham on a short-term deal

Alli scored his 50th Tottenham goal in Saturday's 2-0 win at Leicester and, after Spurs failed to win their opening three group games, the midfielder feels victory in Spain would be one of the
Preview: Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur - prediction, team

The pitch has been laid at the new White Hart Lane

Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will reportedly seek assurances before committing to signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge. In what could be a fresh transfer blow for Chelsea, it seems
Ruben Loftus-Cheek sets demands for new contract | Eyefootball

Gary Neville is a respected pundit for Sky Sports

Harry Kane is set to lead the line again, after scoring on his return to the first team at Turf Moor. You can follow every word of Pochettino's press conference right here. Keep up to date with the latest Tottenham Hotspur news, features and exclusives from football.london via our free WhatsApp service .
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino launches passionate

Post a Comment

0 Comments