Ex-Man City forward sees an improving Osimhen make the difference in Serie A

The Nigerian international is determined to make a success of his second year in the Italian top-flight, and a former goalscoring expert has backed the youngster to shine

Former Manchester City forward Roland Bianchi is tipping Victor Osimhen to be a difference-maker for Napoli as Il Partenopei seek to challenge for honours in the league, cup, and Europe.

As expected when he was appointed as the new Napoli boss, head coach Luciano Spalletti made Osimhen the centrepiece of his attacking strategy and has been working to make the youngster a technically proficient forward.

The Super Eagles number nine managed only ten goals in his debut Serie A campaign to help Napoli finish in a disappointing fifth position.

He is aware he would need to produce better stats if the Neapolitans are to challenge champions Inter Milan and perennial favourites Juventus for the Scudetto next season

Bianchi spent his entire career in Italy aside from two brief spells at Mallorca and Man City. The Torino hero is convinced Osimhen has the qualities to be a goalscoring machine in the country’s elite league.

Osimhen could spend a month with the Super Eagles at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, but Bianchi thinks even that tournament would not slow the ex-Lille man down when he gets into his stride.

“It could be Osimhen’s year, even if he will spend a month away for the Africa Cup (of Nations),” Bianchi told Radio Kiss Kiss, as per Tutto Napoli.

“He’s managed to get to know the environment and understood what it takes to make a difference in Serie A; the qualities are there, and Spalletti worked on them from an analytical point of view.

“Osimhen has the humility to work to continue improving; now he can make the leap in quality.”

Osimhen has found the back of the net seven times in three preseason games for Spalletti’s men, and he could add to his tally when they take to the pitch again on Sunday.