Higuaín could start for Chelsea in FA Cup clash against Sheffield Wednesday

Gonzalo Higuaín could play his first match in a Chelsea shirt after joining from Juventus until the end of the season, his Chelsea side face Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Maurizio Sarri won his first FA Cup match after misfiring, and soon-to-be former, striker Álvaro Morata netted twice for the blues as they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at home earlier on in the month.

While their opponents Sheffield Wednesday had to wait until the 46th minute of their replay against League One side Luton Town before confirming that they had reached the fourth round.

Sarri’s men may be without Andreas Christensen as the defender has a hamstring injury while midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek could feature if he is deemed back to full fitness in a rotated side following there penalty win against Spurs yesterday.

Victor Moses will not feature after joining Turkish side Fenerbahçe S.K. on an 18-month loan deal while Morata is poised to join Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid, and with the arrival of Higuaín making a start for the Spaniard highly unlikely.

Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola had high praise for their new Italian striker:

“We’re talking about a player who has scored not only in Italy but everywhere, also in the Champions League, he can handle expectations. He’s always produced good numbers wherever he’s been. We’re going to help Higuain to get his goals.”

He also added that their new star could feature saying “There are players who need to be rested and it could be an opportunity.”

Steve Agnew will lead Wednesday into the tie with new manager Steve Bruce not joining the club until 1st February as he looks to cause an upset, it’s the first time since April 2000 that the sides meet, last time Wim Jonk scored from the spot giving the Owls the win.

Agnew will be without defender Michael Hector as he’s on loan from the hosts and will un-eligible to face his parent club. Josh Onomah, Gary Hooper, Matt Penney and Kieran Lee are all out for this match.

Penney has recently undergone surgery on his shoulder, there is one boost for the Championship side as attacker Fernando Forestieri could make his way back into the squad following recovery from his injury.

This match will be Agnew’s last as interim boss before he becomes assistant to the incoming Bruce, and the 53-year-old issued a battle cry:

“We have tried to give the players some forward thinking positive ideas to the weaknesses that we think Chelsea have but we will have to be organised and more than anything show good concentration.

“We’d like to be playing Chelsea every week. Maybe it’ll be a reminder to the rest of the football world that Sheffield Wednesday is a huge club.”

Top Goalscorers:

Eden Hazard is the host’s top goalscorer with 13 goals in 29 matches for Sarri’s men, the Belgian’s also the sides leading assister with 10. Morata is second with nine goals.

Lucas João leads the way for Wednesday with his eight goals in 21 matches putting him top of their standings, though Adam Reach is hot on his heels netting seven.

Barry Bannan is the club’s leading assist maker getting five in 28 matches for the Owls.

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