Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli had just secured two 5-0 victories in the space of three days in September 2015 when the boss was asked about Gonzalo Higuain.
‘If he improves a few things he can cause chaos,’ said Sarri, almost anticipating the sensational season that was to follow. ‘He is at the centre of our world.’
Higuain went on to score 36 goals in 35 games under Sarri, setting a new Serie A record that Cristiano Ronaldo will try to break this season.
Fast forward three years, and Higuain could be set for a reunion with his former coach at Chelsea.
Sarri will use the club’s pre-season tour to take a closer look at Alvaro Morata but Higuain, who is available for around 60million euros (£53.6million), is on the radar.
There would be a risk involved. The Argentine is 30, turns 31 in December, comes with little resale value and would be playing in the Premier League for the first time.
Chelsea, though, are desperate to return to the Champions League after dropping out of the inner circle under Antonio Conte.
A seasoned striker can be the difference, and Higuain knows the Sarri system inside out.
Sarri’s No 9s at Napoli were tasked with leaving themselves in prime positions to score. They didn’t drop too deep, but instead waited to be fed by their fellow forwards.
There was lots of short, sharp passing and waves of attacks, all with the aim of creating chances for those who can put them away. In 2015-16, that was Higuain.
Rafa Benitez’s 4-2-3-1 set-up did not get the best out of him in 2013-14 and 2014-15. It worked well, but not outstandingly. Sarri’s 4-3-3 did, turning the striker into a record breaker.
Though 30 years old, Chelsea showed by their interest in Edin Dzeko last January they are willing to relax their rules about signing ageing players.
Higuain is still regarded as one of the world’s best No 9s – someone who has hardly relied on using pace when playing in Italy. He has other strengths.
Last season was the first that the former Real Madrid forward failed to score a goal from outside the area since 2010-11. As he has aged, like most forwards, his focus is now fully inside the box.
One of the men who would supply him, Chelsea hope, is Eden Hazard.
Signing someone such as Higuain could act as a statement to the Belgian. Before their FA Cup final, Hazard told his club to produce stellar signings if they expect him to stay while European heavyweights Real Madrid circled.
Jorginho was a start, particularly given Chelsea very publicly beat Manchester City to his signature, and Higuain is a household name in football.
Sarri is respected as a special tactician for several reasons. One of which is after losing Higuain to Juventus in 2016, Napoli were expected to implode, but their eccentric coach refused to let them.
They had scored 80 Serie A goals in 2015-16 with 36 of those coming from Higuain. Then, even though their striker headed for the exit, they went on to score 94 in 2016-17.
Sarri worked with what he had at his disposal, which is what he hinted at in his Chelsea unveiling about incomings and outgoings this summer.
Should Higuain come in, though, the signs are that Sarri would know how to get the very best out of him.