Higuain: I nearly quit over my family pain
Stamford Bridge for the rest of the season after spending the first part of the campaign on loan with AC Milan from Juventus. And Higuain’s family kept news of Nancy’s illness secret because he was playing at the Copa America. But after Argentina had lost a third successive major final by losing to Chile on penalties, the France-born forward was told about the situation. “I decided immediately that I must stop playing football so that I could look after my mum,” recalled Higuain, whose mum has now made a full recovery. “I suspected something was wrong at home during the Copa America, but it was still a huge shock when I was told the truth. “I felt guilty because I played in that final without knowing. “My whole world came crashing down in that moment. “I was not interested in anything else but my mum. “I told her I was finished with football and if it had been down to me I would have stopped playing. “Her reply was that when I played football it made her happy. “She told me that she would not allow me to give up something I loved. “She asked me to carry on for her – and I knew I had to grant that wish. “But my family and friends are everything to me. After that, comes football.
“People need to understand that. They see you kick a ball and they don’t think you have anything to think about outside the game.”
Olivier Giroud is relishing the battle to be Chelsea’s central striker with new boy Higuain.
Giroud, who started up front in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg victory over Tottenham on Thursday, said: “Gonzalo’s arrival will help me to step up again and keep me fighting to be competitive by working hard in training.
“And it’s going to be a benefit for the team.
“I hope he will help us to win trophies.”
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri hopes Higuain’s arrival will not only sort out Chelsea’s goal struggles but give the squad a lift in terms of its mentality.
The Italian coach blasted his men after the defeat to Arsenal last Saturday, claiming it was difficult to motivate them.
And it wasn’t the first time this season he has had a pop at his players over their attitude.
Giroud said: “After that game we had to show something else – strong character, team character, be a team of monsters – on the pitch. We knew we wanted to have a strong reaction.
“We are professional, we know we can play well and that we need to do more.
“We talked between us but afterwards you have to put the action on pitch.
“You have to show determination through some actions.
“It’s nice to talk but sometimes you have to go out and show you can do it.”
Frenchman Giroud is out of contract in the summer but is keen to stay at Chelsea whatever happens with Higuain in the next five months.
He added: “The club have the option of one more year after this season and we are going to make sure that we sort it out.”