Spalletti reveals how he has been able to get the best out of Osimhen

The former Inter Milan manager has revealed how he has been able to improve the raw talents of the Nigerian international 

Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has revealed that Victor Osimhen’s instinct to exploit open spaces is the reason for his impressive form but stresses there is still room for improvement.

Osimhen arrived at Napoli from Lille for a club and African record fee of 81.3m euros last season. He had an indifferent first year which was beset by a shoulder injury and coronavirus.

Although the former Lille star still managed to score ten goals last campaign, it was still not good enough in many quarters.

However, the 22-year-old striker has taken his game to a new level under Luciano Spalletti, who replaced Gennaro Gattuso as the club’s manager in the summer.

The former Roma coach was tipped to make Osimhen a better striker, and so far, he has done a great job. The Super Eagles star has scored nine goals in ten games this season, including the second in the 3-0 win over Legia Warsaw on Thursday night.

Spalletti has now revealed that Osimhen’s willingness to learn and ability to exploit open spaces is the reason for his brilliant form this campaign.

“He is accustomed to galloping in wide open spaces, so coming back to get the ball or support his teammate and then make the run are things he is still learning,” Spalletti told Football Italia.

“He’s a great professional, a lovely guy who is eager to learn and improve.”

The 62-year-old also added that Osimhen’s Napoli teammates love him, and the club is lucky to have him.

“His teammates adore him, he wants to be with them all the time, and we’re very fortunate to have him,” Spalletti added.