Middlesbrough icon makes Victor Osimhen and Gonzalo Higuain comparisons

El Pipita became a Napoli legend after three successful years in Naples, and a former Italian international sees slight similarities between the Argentine goal machine and the Nigerian youngster

Ex-Middlesbrough striker Massimo Maccarone has predicted that Napoli forward Victor Osimhen could enjoy as much success in Naples as former fans’ favourite Gonzalo Higuain.

Higuain remains one of the most prolific strikers in the European circuit in the last decade, playing prominent roles in some of the successes recorded by Real Madrid, Napoli, and Juventus around that time.

After winning three La Liga titles and scoring 107 goals in 190 league matches for the Spanish giants, Higuain switched to Napoli in the summer of 2013 for €40 million.

The Argentine took his goalscoring boots to Naples and became an even deadlier finisher under head coach Mauricio Sarri.

Higuain’s best year, though, was his last in Naples when he scored an astonishing 36 league goals to help Sarri’s men finish second on the Serie A table behind champions Juventus.

Napoli have not reached that lofty height since then. Still, many of the club’s faithful retain the hope that I Partenopei can enjoy a similar run this season, thanks to the combination of Osimhen and veteran gaffer Luciano Spalletti.

Maccarone is aware that Osimhen has a profile different from Higuain’s, but the former Empoli man predicts that the partnership of Osimhen and Spalletti could bear unique fruits soon.

“Osimhen could be for Spalletti what Higuain was for Sarri in Naples,” Maccarone told Radio Kiss Kiss, as per Calcio Napoli.

“I wish Victor to do what Gonzalo did even if they are two difficult comparisons because they are two strikers strong but very different in their characteristics.”

Osimhen has been drawing praises from different quarters and preparing for the new Italian Serie A season in the best possible way, with the Super Eagles striker netting eight goals in five friendly games.