Chelsea transfer news: Striker Gonzalo Higuain set to seal Stamford Bridge move from Juventus according to Maurizio Sarri
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says they are closing in on the signing of Juventus striker Gonzalo Giguain.
Higuain scored 36 goals in 35 Serie A games in his one season at Napoli under Sarri.
"They're a few hours into signing a contract today," Sarri said.
Chelsea play Tottenham in Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge, bidding to overturn a 1-0 deficit to reach the February 24 final.
The Blues had until noon to register Higuain for the match, but Sarri says "it's impossible" for the Argentina international to feature.
Higuain has been on loan at AC Milan from Juventus this season, scoring just once in his last 12 appearances for the Rossoneri.
"We hope he'll bring goals, he'll start scoring for us," Sarri added.
"It's very difficult in January to find one of the most important strikers in the world. So I think the club is working very well because it's not easy to get a new striker."
Sarri on Gonzalo Higuain: 'He is a very strong striker, especially in my first season in Naples. He did very well. For sure he is one of the best strikers in my career. He has the right experience to play here.' #CHETOT pic.twitter.com/b3JR8T3WAD
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 23, 2019
Sarri seeking response
Sarri launched an extraordinary criticism of his players following last Saturday's Premier League loss to Arsenal, saying "this group of players are extremely difficult to motivate".
Asked about the response from his players this week, he said: "I think we need to react on the pitch. The rest is nothing.
"We discussed with the players how to try to improve the approach, the motivation, the determination, so we are trying to change something in training, in pre-match, in everything. I think we all have to react on the pitch, of course."
Eden Hazard remains Chelsea's talisman, for now. Sarri is not expecting a decision from the 28-year-old Belgian over whether to extend his contract, which expires in June 2020, or seek a "dream" move to Real Madrid.
The 60-year-old said: "He's not decided yet if he wants to stay here or if he wants a new experience in another club. I don't know exactly the situation, but I think Eden at the moment doesn't know the final choice."
Hazard spoke in an interview with France Football about frustrating all his managers this week, with Sarri laughing when the comments were put to him.
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Sarri added: "Sometimes. I prefer him when he speaks with his feet.
"I think he said that coaches told him that he needs to do more. I think that he has to do more, because the potential is higher than the performances, I think. He has to respect, first of all, himself. He has to do more."
Sarri hinted at frustration with the individualism of Hazard, who has been deployed as a 'false nine' of late, in large part to ensure he has no defensive responsibilities.
The Blues boss said: "You know very well that Eden is at the moment a wonderful player, but he's an individual player.
"He's a very instinctive player. For him it's very difficult to play only in one position. He likes very much to go to the ball.
"He wants the ball on the feet. So for him I think it's very difficult to play as a striker, but it's very difficult to play also as a winger. We have to organise the other 10 players in the defensive phase."
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