Gonzalo Higuain has credited his recent upturn in form to the arrival of Spanish playmaker Alejandro Pozuelo to Inter Miami.
The Herons paid $150k guaranteed General Allocation Money (GAM) plus add-ons to bring Pozuelo aboard in July, filling their longstanding need for a creative presence in midfield.
Prior to Pozuelo’s debut against Charlotte FC on July 16, Higuain had scored just three goals in 13 MLS appearances this season, losing his place in the starting line-up to Wolves loanee Leonardo Campana.
Yael Averbuch West hosted none other than Christian Fuchs for the latest episode of Football Americana. The Charlotte FC captain provided insight into the creation of Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team, and bringing European culture into the American side.
However, since then, the Argentine has hit the net five times in six matches and Higuain is certain he knows the reason behind his turnaround.
“Without a doubt, he is a player who has helped me a lot because with him on the field, I don’t feel an obligation to drop back and get the ball,” Higuain said of Pozuelo, adding: “I can play where I’ve played my whole career, up top as the No.9.
“His arrival has made the team better, which you can see with our recent results. I am so happy that he came for what he contributes to the team and for motivating me to play better and allowing me to stay higher up in the attack.”
Head coach Phil Neville agrees with Higuain’s assessment, also offering praise to another Inter Miami creative outlet, Bryce Duke, who has four primary assists in just 12 starts this season.
“Last season we joked that we needed two Gonzalos, one to pass the ball to Gonzalo and one Gonzalo to finish,” Neville said. “Now he trusts the players to pass him the ball and that’s why he’s staying higher, he’s getting more chances in behind.
“His goal against Montreal was sensational, especially his movement. He now has great trust in Pozuelo and Bryce [Duke] to make that pass for him and that’s why we’re seeing Gonzalo play the best he has in three or four seasons.”
Gonzalo Higuaín can’t be stopped!@DukeBryce‘s nutmeg starts the counter and Higuaín finishes. #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/u1cSHba8QY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 6, 2022
Higuain and Pozuelo’s partnership has inspired Inter Miami to a run of just one defeat in their last six MLS matches – enough to see them climb to eighth, level with Orlando City on 33 points in the final Playoffs spot.
Up next for the Herons is a home tie against Pozuelo’s former club, Toronto FC.
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