Nearly everyone expects the Napoli boss to work well with the club’s star man and turn him into a goal machine, but a lone voice is calling for caution
1982 FIFA World Cup winner Francesco Graziani acknowledges that Victor Osimhen can be a 30-goal a season striker in the Italian Serie A.
But the former Italian international has encouraged Osimhen to accept manager Luciano Spalletti’s reprimands and corrections to fulfil his potential.
Both Spalletti and Osimhen have warmed to each other since the former Roma boss was named the new Napoli handler.
The Italian tactician has made it clear he wants to build his team around the Nigerian, while the young striker has embraced the new tactical and technical work he is being exposed to in training.
The partnership appears to be bearing positive fruits already, with Osimhen netting four goals in 37 minutes in Napoli’s 12-0 victory in their first pre-season game this summer.
But Graziani, the ninth-highest all-time scorer for the Italy national team, has warned Osimhen to brace up for Spalletti’s brittle side when the 22-year-old fails to live up to expectation.
Speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli via AreaNapoli, the 1977 Serie A top scorer said: “Osimhen? If he understands that the reprimands and stimuli Spalletti will give him are positive, he will become a star, otherwise not.
“With Spalletti, Osimhen can score 30 goals.”
Osimhen managed ten Serie A goals in his debut campaign in the Italian top flight. However, the Super Eagles striker has the chance to start his second year in the best way possible when Napoli trade tackles with Tyronne Ebuehi’s Venezia in the season opener.
