A Progress Report on the Early-Season Form of Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain

Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain's season has so far developed at a similar rhythm to that of club Napoli. Both player and team have threatened to push up a gear in 2014/15, only to let a lack of focus and purpose betray them at key moments. 

This has meant the first two months of the season have been an exercise in frustration for Pipita and boss Rafa Benitez. Out of the Champions League and treading water in Serie A, it will be an uphill struggle for the team from southern Italy to regain lost ground even at such an early stage. 

So what, exactly, is going wrong with the burly ex-Real Madrid No. 9? 

Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press

The Story So Far

Appearances: 10

Goals: 2

Assists: 3

For a striker accustomed to hitting the net on a regular basis, the season so far has not been a happy one for the Napoli man. Excluding Napoli's disastrous Champions League exit to Athletic, Higuain has netted just twice in 10 games, with both of those coming in the Europa League and not one solitary strike entering in Serie A.

It is not all Pipita's fault. Playing up front alone, a lack of coherence in the Italians' forward play has led to Higuain becoming horribly isolated. In that sense, he has had to adapt to the paucity of service to try and get involved.

The striker's three assists, for example, and the goals scored by deep-lying Jose Callejon show Pipita's talent in holding the ball up and releasing his team-mates, thereby compensating for the lack of support when he first receives possession.  

Key Statistic

One piece of data in particular lays bare the struggles Higuain has had so far in the 2014/15 season. According to the statistics compiled by Whoscored.com, the Argentine averages a paltry two shots per match so far in the campaign. 

His passing has been better, but it all points to the fact that the poor form and fitness that plagued the player before and during the 2014 World Cup persists. Higuain is not getting in position to shoot, and without shots, his goal tally will not be rising any time soon. 

Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press

Early Season Grade: C- 

This season has been disappointing so far from one of the most prolific forwards in European football over the last few years. Higuain needs to raise his game, although an improvement in Napoli's performances would also help the striker to rediscover his hunger for goal.