Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain Should Not Replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic If He Leaves PSG
Paris Saint-Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in sensational form this season and is currently leading the French champions’ quest for glory on four separate fronts.
The Sweden international has scored 30 goals and assisted 13 more in just 34 appearances and is on course to complete the best campaign—statistically speaking—of his career.
Many suggested after an injury-hit and at times controversial last term that the talismanic striker was starting to look his age, and that his status as an undisputed member of Laurent Blanc’s starting XI should be questioned.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Although some of those concerns did appear justified at times, there was also a feeling that the 34-year-old still had something left in the tank to offer PSG.
Ibrahimovic has done more than just prove that there is a little left in the tank. Based on his current form, the Scandinavian superstar still has plenty to offer the French capital outfit, and they would be mad not to try to extend his stay.
Despite the PSG No. 10’s superb form, though, there has still been no news on a possible contract extension, and Les Parisiens are surely running out of time to do so.
Although the runaway Ligue 1 leaders surely want to keep Zlatan for at least another season, there is no guarantee that he will accept a new deal. The former AC Milan man perhaps sees his current form as an opportunity to bow out in Paris at the top of his game—sealing his place in the hearts of the supporters and not overstaying his welcome.
If Ibrahimovic decides against extending his stay at Parc des Princes, PSG will have to move to bring in a replacement. Finding a player capable of filling the Swede’s sizeable boots will be an unenviable task for the French giants.
One player who has been linked with a move to the City of Light recently is SSC Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain.
According to the Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), a contract renewal for the Argentina international in Naples looks unlikely, and his representatives have refused to be drawn on the subject of his future.
PSG were mentioned in the report as interested foreign suitors for Higuain—as were Chelsea—and if Ibrahimovic is leaving the club this summer, then interest in the South American is logical.
The 28-year-old, like Ibrahimovic, is in prolific form this season. Higuain has 26 goals and two assists from 30 appearances across all competitions, and the former Real Madrid man's case is backed up by two other very prolific campaigns with Napoli.
However, it is in this term that Higuain has really started to re-establish himself as a world-class talent in front of goal, and there are few attackers in more dangerous form.
Despite the Napoli No. 9’s prolific scoring exploits at Stadio San Paolo, he might not be the ideal replacement for Ibrahimovic in Paris.
First, Higuain is not as adept at creating chances for others in the way that Ibrahimovic is. The Argentinian does rack up a fair number of assists (11 and 10 across all competitions in his first two seasons, respectively), but a total of two this campaign denotes that the Napoli man is still more of a predator than the PSG star.
There are obvious parallels between PSG’s potential interest in Higuain and their pursuit—and eventual signing—of Edinson Cavani back in 2013.
Both Les Parisiens and Higuain should view the Uruguay international’s difficulties in Paris as a precautionary tale.
Although El Matador’s time at PSG has been far from unproductive, it has also not gone as many would have hoped or expected so far.
Cavani has struggled to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer the main star that he was in Naples, instead having to sit in the shade while Ibrahimovic enjoys the limelight.
Higuain might not have to deal with the same problems, as it is more than likely that he would only be pursued in the event of the Swede’s departure, but filling the void that he will leave on and off the pitch in the French capital will be a tall order for any star player.
To replace Ibrahimovic, PSG will need a player who can not only score and create goals in equal measure but be the focus of attention off the pitch as well. Higuain only truly ticks the goalscoring box and should therefore not be considered the right man to replace Ibrahimovic.
