Chelsea supporters got their first look at Gonzalo Higuain in action for their club as he made his debut in their 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge. The Argentine was unable to mark his FA Cup appearance with a goal but there were glimpses of his quality. The 31-year-old striker, signed on loan from Juventus, knows Maurizio Sarri's style of play well - he scored 36 goals under the Italian in the 2015/16 season, breaking the record for the most goals ever netted in a Serie A season. But he struggled to get into the game at first. Image: Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrates his goal at Stamford Bridge In fact, Higuain had to wait until the eighth minute of the game to get his first proper touch of the ball against Championship opposition. But with his subtle movements there were soon signs of why the powerful forward could help Chelsea as the focal point of their attack. As part of a largely second-string team, there are little clues yet how he might link up with Eden Hazard but both the Belgian and midfield playmaker Jorginho will surely benefit from Higuain's ability to exploit space inside the penalty box. Image: Higuain firing off a shot during the first half of their FA Cup tie He was denied only by the legs of his marker when firing off one shot from close range just inside the first 20 minutes and though there were some indications of rustiness - this was only his second appearance since the turn of the year - it was an encouraging effort. Key moments 8 – His first touch of the ball finally arrives and it is a simple lay-off. 9 – He is clattered by the defender when going to collect a pass to his feet. 19 – Clever run beats the offside trap but his shot is deflected wide. 26 – Willian converts from the spot after seeming to offer the ball to the striker. 39 – Good first touch after breaking the offside trap again but he is forced wide. 53 – Head on his hands as Willian’s low left-wing cross just eludes him. 63 – Gets ahead of his marker and heads Ampadu’s cross wide of the far post. 79 – Attempts a one-two with Kovacic but the return pass does not arrive. 80 – Replaced by Giroud with 10 minutes of the game remaining. Chelsea, of course, will want more than hints and clues to Higuain's quality if he is to come up with the goals that Sarri requires from him in order to keep the team in the top four. It is Bournemouth away on Wednesday before a home game against Huddersfield on Saturday. He will be needed.<doc-sep>The newest recruit stepped out in the famous blue shirt for the first time and although he wasn't at his best, there were still one or two good signs A huge cheer greeted Gonzalo Higuain as his name was read out over the club's tannoy on Sunday but in truth, he was quiet on his debut at Stamford Bridge against Sheffield Wednesday. However, there were promising signs that the Argentine will fit into Maurizio Sarri's system well, as he spent his 82 minutes on the pitch asking questions of Wednesday’s defence and making runs in behind Jordan Thorniley and Tom Lees. The 31-year-old showed patience and confidence as he slotted into life with his new team-mates on a freezing night in west London, as Willian scored two and Callum Hudson-Odoi added another to send their side into the fifth round of the FA Cup. Though he was relatively quiet, Higuain's performance was still an encouraging improvement over his predecessor at Chelsea. A lack of touches and involvement seemed to affect Alvaro Morata during his time with the Blues, but Higuain kept making the right runs and spent the game constantly on the move. Atletico Madrid look set to announce Morata’s signing on a loan-to-buy arrangement after he successfully completed his medical in Madrid, ending a nightmare spell at the club. His 24 goals were not what was expected of the then-record £58 million signing from Real Madrid, but it was his all-round performances that really frustrated many as he was often physically outbattled and failed to adapt to the pressure of a starring role in the Premier League. Morata’s mentality was frequently questioned and toward the end of his spell he failed to even celebrate some of his goals as he planned his escape route, with criticism mounting. The cheers for Higuain ahead of kick-off may have been amped up simply because he is not Morata, whose hopeful fan base were beginning to turn on him in London. It was a nice introduction to English football for Higuain as he faced one of the Championship's most physical teams, and the former Real Madrid forward looked physically capable in a battle with the two big centre halves and the powerful midfield of the Yorkshire club. His movement was sharp and when he was found he threatened Sheffield Wednesday, as his first effort was blocked and his second attempt went just wide. Higuain had a couple of moments of fine interplay with his new team-mates, like his brilliant one-two with Mateo Kovacic that was ultimately cut out by a brilliant challenge. There's still room for improvement though, as Higuain only touched the ball 31 times on Sunday. He will spend the next six months trying to prove he is worth the £32m option Chelsea have to buy him from Juventus at the end of the season. He knows what it takes to be the target forward in the system dubbed 'Sarriball', where a striker is not likely to get many touches or time on the ball. Article continues below Despite a lack of touches, Higuain’s abilities in the 60-year-old's style of play allowed him to break the Serie A record in 2015-16 with 36 goals in 35 games. And unlike Morata, who switched to the number 29 this season, the Argentina international is brave enough to wear the so-called 'cursed' No. 9. Sunday didn’t bring out the best of Higuain, but there are signs that he can eventually fill the weight of expectation in that famous shirt.<doc-sep>Gonzalo Higuain is a necessary addition to Chelsea says Zola HERE for the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign upfor the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Blues fans are hoping the Argentine can solve their problems in front of goal. And they were given a first glimpse of their new man on Thursday when he watched the Blues face Tottenham in the EFL Cup. Higuain showed off his talents properly as he warmed up at Stamford Bridge in front of an expectant crowd today. The Argentine appeared to be in excellent condition as he got ready to face Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday. And within 20 minutes he had already seen one chance go begging as he targeted a goal on his debut. Higuain has already given Chelsea supporters some cause for cheer after a video emerged showing him firing in the goals during his first training session. He lined up at the head of a three-man attack that also included Willian and wantaway winger Callum Hudson-Odoi. The 31-year-old showed some early willingness to get into the box and appeared to give Chelsea a much-needed focal point in attack. Gonzalo Higuain warms up in front of the Chelsea fans The new signing enters the Stamford Bridge pitch from the tunnel Maurizio Sarri's Blues have been forced to play Eden Hazard as a false nine in recent weeks, with their full-backs reluctant to get crosses into the box. Speaking before the game, Chelsea assistant Gonzalo Higuain backed him to hit the ground running. “You can see his ability and his desire to do well, we are looking forward to seeing that from him today,” the Italian said. “We want to see how he can integrate, we are expecting him to fit the system well.” The Argentine looked sharp in the warm-up Blues fans are hoping he can solve their striker problems In the build-up to Sunday’s clash, Zola pointed at his own success in England at proof Higuain can adapt to the rigours of the Premier League. "It is exactly the same question they posed when I came over here and it's the same question they pose (all foreign) players when they come over here," he said on Friday. "We know that he's coming from a different league, maybe a league where the intensity and the rhythms are lower than the Premier League. “But we are also talking about a player that has scored not only in Italy, but everywhere. Higuain and fellow Argentine Willy Caballero embrace before kick-off The Chelsea striker battles with Sheffield Wednesday's Tom Lees Higuain's effort on goal is blocked<doc-sep>HERE for the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign upfor the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Higuain was signed on Wednesday on a loan deal from Juventus until the end of the season. Maurizio Sarri was longing for a proven goalscorer to remedy the side’s bluntness in attack, with questions over his style increasing in volume. The Argentine striker was registered too late to be eligible to play in Thursday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham, however. That did not stop Higuain acquainting himself with Chelsea fans, though. The 31-year-old entered the pitch 15 minutes before kick-off, hands in pockets, looking relaxed. Among a small speech he gave to fans, the new Blues No 9 said: “See you Sunday.” It is believed Sarri will take no time trying to slowly embed the striker into the line-up, with Wednesday the weekend's opponents in the FA Cup fourth round. Sarri has already coached the dexterous frontman at Napoli, when Higuain broke the record for most goals scored in a single Serie A with 36 strikes. Gonzalo Higuain greeted Chelsea fans on Thursday night Gonzalo Higuain coolly walked onto the Stamford Bridge turf before kick-off After scribing his signature at Stamford Bridge, Higuain told the club website: “Maurizio Sarri is the coach who, in my career, has got the best out of me as a player. “He’s someone who knew how to work with me, particularly on the emotional side. That year (in 2015/16) together was fantastic and in big parts thanks to him, so coming to work with him is very important for me. “I’m really happy to have been given the opportunity to do that and I want to get back to that level. Gonzalo Higuain: 'See you Sunday' Chelsea: Higuain signing ‘DOESN’T solve problems’ says Burley<doc-sep>
Chelsea fans got their first glimpse of Gonzalo Higuain on Sunday evening as he started in the 3-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday. Unable to face Spurs on Thursday as he wasn't signed in time, Maurizio Sarri, his former manager at Napoli, threw him straight into the team against the Championship side. Although there was no goal for the 31-year-old as a Willian double and Callum Hudson-Odoi's strike sealed the team's passage through to the fifth round, Higuain showed glimpses of his quality for the Blues. Seeing his shot deflected wide in the first half following an intelligent run, the striker made way in the closing stages for Olivier Giroud. Here's what the national media made of the ex-Real Madrid man on his debut. Daily Mail "Hudson-Odoi's contribution outdid that of debutant Gonzalo Higuain, who ran hard but found chances hard to come by on his first start since arriving on loan from Juventus," wrote Adam Crafton in the Daily Mail. "He came closest in the first period, collecting a low threaded pass from Mateo Kovacic before seeing his effort well blocked by a defender." The Guardian "Wednesday were well-drilled and their back four stayed touch-tight to Higuaín, who ran willingly and showed a few sharp movements but was plainly not yet in sync with his new teammates," said The Guardian's David Hytner. "He stole free on one occasion in the first half, fastening on to Mateo Kovacic’s pass, only for Tom Lees to make the block. Higuaín had looked fractionally offside. Later on he flashed a header well wide." The Independent "Gonzalo Higuain was much quieter on his Chelsea debut, only getting two chances, and having one deflected before snatching at another," said Miguel Delaney in The Independent. "His most meaningful contribution was perhaps handing that penalty to Willian for the first goal, and that also provided the most meaningful discussion of the match beyond Hudson-Odoi given how it came." The Telegraph "It was amid this backdrop that Sarri did still start Hudson-Odoi for the seventh time this season and, while his goal will naturally attract the headlines, it was actually otherwise a fairly quiet performance," wrote Jeremy Wilson in The Telegraph. "The same also could be said for Gonzalo Higuain who, on his Chelsea debut, was one of eight changes from the team that beat Tottenham Hotspur in Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final. "Higuain did have his chances - going closest with a second-half header - and did give Chelsea more attacking presence than Alvaro Morata before being replaced in the 82nd minute by the perennially underrated Olivier Giroud. "The France World Cup winner soon teed up Willian for Chelsea’s third and, with Morata undergoing a medical this weekend at Atletico Madrid, Chelsea should at least end the transfer window with improved options in the main striker position." Goal "Though he was relatively quiet, Higuain's performance was still an encouraging improvement over his predecessor at Chelsea," wrote Goal's Nizaar Kinsella. "A lack of touches and involvement seemed to affect Alvaro Morata during his time with the Blues, but Higuain kept making the right runs and spent the game constantly on the move. "It was a nice introduction to English football for Higuain as he faced one of the Championship's most physical teams, and the former Real Madrid forward looked physically capable in a battle with the two big centre halves and the powerful midfield of the Yorkshire club. "His movement was sharp and when he was found he threatened Sheffield Wednesday, as his first effort was blocked and his second attempt went just wide." Sky Sports "Higuain had to wait until the eighth minute of the game to get his first proper touch of the ball against Championship opposition," reported Sky Sports. "But with his subtle movements there were soon signs of why the powerful forward could help Chelsea as the focal point of their attack. "As part of a largely second-string team, there are little clues yet how he might link up with Eden Hazard but both the Belgian and midfield playmaker Jorginho will surely benefit from Higuain's ability to exploit space inside the penalty box. "He was denied only by the legs of his marker when firing off one shot from close range just inside the first 20 minutes and though there were some indications of rustiness - this was only his second appearance since the turn of the year - it was an encouraging effort."