Chelsea's past Serie A striker recruits as Gonzalo Higuain nears move from Milan

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  • Gonzalo Higuain was one of a number of flops for Milan in recent years.

    Chelsea appear to be close to sealing a transfer for AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain.

    According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, the Blues have “agreed terms” with the player.

    Higuain joined Milan on a season-long loan from Juventus in July with an option to make the deal permanent, but he has struggled to settle at San Siro, scoring eight goals in all competitions.

    Here, we look the other strikers Chelsea have recruited from Serie A in the past.

    Adrian Mutu

    His is a story of what might’ve been. Following an excellent season with Parma during which he scored 20 times in 36 appearances, Adrian Mutu signed for Chelsea in August 2003 for £15.8 million. After scoring four times in his first three games, his performances took a nosedive.

    He endured a difficult relationship with new manager Jose Mourinho the following season and in September 2004 was banned from football for seven months after testing positive for drugs. Mutu subsequently joined Juventus in January 2005.

    Adrian Mutu.

    Adrian Mutu.

    Andriy Shevchenko

    Having arrived at Chelsea as one of the most celebrated goalscorers in Europe, Andriy Shevchenko left four years later a washed up mega-money flop. After the relentless pursuit of Roman Abramovich, the Ukranian was finally signed form AC Milan in May 2006 for £30.8 million, an English record then.

    He scored on debut in the Community Shield defeat to Liverpool but struggled thereafter, bagging just four in 30 Premier League appearances that season, quickly becoming a target for opposing fans. Shevchenko was a shadow of his former self and is remembered as one of English football’s most high-profile flops.

    Andriy Shevchenko.

    Andriy Shevchenko.

    Hernan Crespo

    He only briefly graced the English game but Hernan Crespo nevertheless left his mark on Chelsea, scoring 25 goals in 73 appearances. The Argentine signed from Inter Milan in the summer of 2003 and scored 10 league goals in 19 games but was loaned to AC Milan in the following season after Jose Mourinho and Didier Drogba’s arrivals.

    He returned to England and played a supporting role in Chelsea’s 2004/05 Premier League triumph, highlighting their immense strength in depth before leaving to rejoin Inter.

    Hernan Crespo.

    Hernan Crespo.

    Gianfranco Zola

    Panache, belief and pure magic. That’s what Gianfranco Zola brought to Chelsea when he was signed from Parma in 1996. Under Glenn Hoddle and then Ruud Gullit, Chelsea were transformed into a competitive force in the mid 90s, particularly in cup competitions but Zola took them to another level.

    He led the Blues to six trophies in his time at Stamford Bridge, scoring some sensational goals along the way.

    Gianfranco Zola.

    Gianfranco Zola.

    Gianluca Vialli

    After his deal with Juventus expired in the summer of 1996, Gianluca Vialli moved to Chelsea on a free transfer in what would be an eventful spell. The Italian was quickly involved in a feud with managed Gullit, resulting in his regular omission but he remained a consistent performer whenever he was called upon.

    Despite some sensational performances during the 1997/98 season, Vialli was still unable to nail down a regular starting berth but Gullit’s sacking that term saw him appointed as player-manager. He went on to win the Cup Winners’ Cup and the League Cup that year.

    Gianluca Vialli.

    Gianluca Vialli.

    George Weah

    In his prime, George Weah was one of the best strikers in the world and while he was certainly past it when he arrived at Chelsea on loan from AC Milan in January 2000, he immediately became a cult hero at the Bridge.

    He scored the winner against rivals Tottenham on debut and bagged crucial goals in Chelsea’s run to the FA Cup success. Weah ended his stint in west London with five goals in 15 appearances.

    George Weah.

    George Weah.

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