A debate is gathering momentum in Italy about who is the more talented footballer between Napoli’s record-buy and Fiorentina’s golden boy
Chairman of the Italian Football Managers’ Association Renzo Ulivieri has waded into the raging debate about the better player between Napoli forward Victor Osimhen and Fiorentina striker Dušan Vlahović.
Serbian forward Vlahović joined Fiorentina in 2018 as a highly-rated teenager, but he endured two difficult seasons where he scored six Serie A goals in 40 games.
However, the 21-year-old shone like a million stars last season, finding the back of the net 21 times in 37 league matches, and it was no surprise to see him scoop the Serie A Best Young Player award at the end of the campaign.
While Vlahović was painting the Italian top-flight red with goals, Osimhen struggled with injuries and coronavirus following an African transfer record move to Napoli.
The Nigerian forward eventually managed ten goals for the Neapolitans, but he was never close to challenging Vlahović for the most talented youngster’s tag.
The two young strikers have started the 2021-22 season in excellent form.
Vlahović has breached his opponent’s defences four times in six games, the same number of goals Osimhen has bagged but in one fewer match. And many in Italy are comparing the two promising talents.
However, the Super Eagles star’s tireless running, ability to take on defenders, and willingness to help his team have seen him win over former Italian star and manager Claudio Onofri and the boss of the football managers association in the country, Ulivieri.
Ulivieri admits his affection for the two attackers and agrees that they are among Serie A’s most valuable youngsters.
But the former Fiorentina youth team coach confesses that Osimhen currently has more weapons in his artillery than the Serbian finisher.
“Vlahovic or Osimhen? The ideal would be to let them both play, also because I am addicted to playing with the double striker,” Ulivieri told Marte Sport Live, as per TuttoNapoli.
“They are both of great value. At this moment, Osimhen may have a little more, but Vlahovic will also be fine.”
One of the most in-demand African youngsters in the world, Osimhen has been tipped to reach the heights of PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland.
The 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner will have another opportunity to add to his blossoming profile when Napoli host Spartak Moscow in a Europa League clash on Thursday.
