Maurizio Sarri Hopes Gonzalo Higuain Will Be Available to Face Everton

Gill Clark @@gillclarkyFeatured Columnist IIMarch 15, 2019

Chelsea's Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain (L) shakes hands with Chelsea's Italian head coach Maurizio Sarri (R) as he comes off as a substitute during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge in London on January 27, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

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Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri hopes striker Gonzalo Higuain will be fit for Sunday's Premier League trip to Goodison Park to face Everton.

Sarri was asked by Chelsea TV (h/t Metro) if the striker would be available and offered a positive response on his condition.

"I think so. He had a stomachache and a fever," Sarri said. "But no injury, so I think and I hope he will be available."

Higuain was left out of the Chelsea squad for Thursday's trip to Ukraine to take on Dynamo Kiev in the UEFA Europa League to recover from illness:

Nizaar Kinsella @NizaarKinsella
Sarri on Higuain not travelling and is sick: "He had a fever after the match in the Premier League, for two days. So yesterday evening, we with the doctor decided to leave him at home to recover for the next match." #CFC #DYNCHE

Olivier Giroud took his place up front for the Blues and hit a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory that secured an 8-0 aggregate win and a place in the quarter-finals.

The French forward may have played himself into contention for Sunday's match and is a decent alternative to Higuain, according to football writer Daniel Storey:

Daniel Storey @danielstorey85
I really like Olivier Giroud. He's never going to be (and never was) elite, but in this Chelsea setup I'm not sure he's much worse than Gonzalo Higuain.

Higuain arrived at Chelsea on loan from Juventus in the January transfer window and has managed three goals in nine appearances for the Blues so far.

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However, he failed to impress last time out in a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers:

EiF @EiFSoccer
The contrast between Raul Jimenez and Gonzalo Higuain today was like night and day. Jimenez ran into the channels all day, held up the ball wonderfully, spearheaded counters and grabbed a goal. Higuain, meanwhile, looked like a statue out there and barely moved. Woeful display.

Sunday's match is an important game for Chelsea in the race for a top-four finish. A victory would see them move to within a point of Tottenham Hotspur in third place, as Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester United are not in action this weekend.

Everton held Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League in November, so the Blues will need to find a cutting edge that was lacking if they are to defeat the Toffees.

Higuain should go straight back into Sarri's starting XI if he is fully recovered from his illness, although Giroud looks a good option to step in if the Argentinian does not make it after his impressive midweek showing.