Gonzalo Higuain has struggled in his first two Chelsea appearances (BPI/REX)

Maurizio Sarri admits Gonzalo Higuain is ‘not in good shape’ after the striker made a subdued Premier League debut in Chelsea’s 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Wednesday evening.

The Argentina international has linked back up with Sarri after thriving under the Italian at Napoli but has endured a difficult first two games since arriving at Stamford Bridge last week.

Higuain was unable to find the net during his debut against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup at the weekend, while in his first Premier League appearance, the 31-year-old was replaced after 65 minutes having failed to register a shot on target.



And Sarri has revealed the striker is suffering from a minor back injury and is not fully match fit.


Higuain failed to register a shot on target against Bournemouth (Getty Images)

‘He can improve a great deal,’ Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

‘At this moment, he is not in good shape, probably because he has played very little recently between transfer market distractions and back pain.

‘He can grow a great deal over the next few weeks.’