Chiellini: 'Higuain among best three strikers in world'

Giorgio Chiellini praised Gonzalo Higuain, saying his Juventus team-mate deserved plenty of credit.

Juventus star Gonzalo Higuain is among the best three strikers in the world, according to defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The Argentinian has scored 32 goals in all competitions this season, including a brace in the first leg of his side's Champions League semifinal against Monaco.

Chiellini, whose team leads the tie 2-0 ahead of Tuesday's second leg in Turin, said Higuain deserved to be recognised among the world's best.

"He is a very complete player," he told a news conference. "He stands amongst the best three number nines in the world. No need to say where exactly but he can easily be on the podium."

Higuain is in his first season at Juve after three prolific campaigns with Napoli, and he still has time to better his 38-goal haul of 2015-16.