'Give Higuain 3 years, and...

By Football Italia staff

President Aurelio De Laurentiis says Napoli star striker Gonzalo Higuain's consecration will take three years: 'He'll be like Maradona'.

The Vesuviani will be counting on the Argentinian superstart this Saturday at 19:45 GMT to give them the edge against their Bianconeri rivals.

De Laurentiis, in an extensive interview with La Stampa, discussed how he ended up signing Higuain as well as Coach Maurizio Sarri.

“Sarri told me that he reads a lot and I thought, someone who can find the time to read must have a great intellect,” he said.

“And he'd worked in banks, so he had an elastic mind. Still, I wasn't entirely convinced, I didn't want to take an immediate decision the way I did with [Rafa] Benitez.

“We met again, and it pleased me that we weren't discussing the market but the project.

“I defined the deal for Higuain in eight hours, in a small room in the Venice airport. In cinema, producers can earn Oscars: I won't be just a paperwork President.

“Higuain and Maradona? Maradona was the greatest ever, above even Pele. Higuain has an extraordinary winner's mentality that he puts in service of the team.

“You know what his strength is? The family that he has around him. It's a marvellous group.

“He came when he was a kid. If he stays for another three years he'll enjoy a consecration that he's unlikely to achieve anywhere else. He can make history, like Maradona.

“The racist insults against [Kalidou] Koulibaly? I gave him a big kiss at the end of the match, the way I used to do last season when he was criticised.

“I don't think Juve's experience will outweigh us on Saturday. [Paulo] Dybala? I'm hoping he won't play.

“I expect the game to be very tactical at first. Then it could turn into an incredible show if the footballers' urge to play takes over.

“If it were a film, it would be a period piece, like Gladiator. Ridley Scott would be perfect to direct it!”

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