There was a lot of buzz this weekend about Juventus (currently on loan with AC Milan) striker Gonzalo Higuain finalizing his transfer to Chelsea. Friday brought news of the 31-year-old heading to London to undergo his medical with the Blues and put the finishing touches on the transaction.
Well, it’s Monday and we’re still not at photos-displaying-a-jersey-and-holding-a-pen-over-a-contract time yet. According to AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso, the deal still isn’t done and the situation is providing a massive hindrance to his team. Gattuso dropped Higuain from his side that will take on Genoa today.
“There is still nothing done or finalized but Sunday’s training session was one of the worst since I have been here,” Gattuso said, reportedly with anger, at his pre-match news conference.
“The team is worried and anxious and the training was not the best. I spoke in my office with Higuain and it is right to leave him out.”
“We are still waiting on the move and there’s nothing completed but I want to see people who are mentally ready and available and if I don’t get that, I’ll go into battle with those who are more prepared.”
Gattuso said he’s accepting of Higuain’s decision to leave the San Siro, and the move won’t make him think any less of the striker. The Milan boss understands the cost of doing business in football.
“Higuain wasn’t ready to travel with us at this time and we lost an important player who had some difficulties,” he added.
“If he does leave, I’m not disappointed. I was a player and I know what happens when you sometimes have people pressing all around you. He’s behaved very well with me. It is okay.”
“I accept his decision and retain my respect for him.”
Higuain scored 36 goals under Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri when the two were together at Napoli. Stamford Bridge is desperate for scoring production anyway they can get it right now, having scored just five goals in their last six across all competitions.
Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud are definitely not the answer, maybe Higuain will ultimately prove to be.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.