Sam Allardyce believes Chelsea are taking a ‘big risk’ with the signing of Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain.
The Juventus man is set to join the Blues on loan, with the view to a permanent deal, before the transfer window shuts where he will be reunited with manager Maurizio Sarri.
Higuain enjoyed a prolific scoring spell under Sarri at Napoli, and the Italian boss is surely hoping the frontman will be the solution to his current problems in attack at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentina international is a proven goalscorer wherever he has played throughout his career – having netted 92 goals in 147 games for Napoli, 55 goals in 105 appearances for Juventus and 122 goals in 264 for Real Madrid.
But, at 31 years old, Allardyce believes a move to the Premier League has come a few years too late for Higuain, saying he may struggle to cope with the pace of Premier League football.
“The scary thing for me is Higuain, while he’s had a very good career, he’s a big risk,” the former manager told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“He’s 31 years old!
“Chelsea have done it before with Hernan Crespo, they brought him in for big, big money and it didn’t work – this could be the same again.
“He’s 31 years old coming into the Premier League and, with the pace of the league, he wont know what’s hit him.”
If Higuain completes his move before midday on Wednesday, then he could make his debut against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea trail 1-0 from the first leg of their semi-final, but the striker has an impressive record against their London rivals, with three goals in three games.