The Nigerian forward has his admirers in the millions, and there remain a few critics who are not yet convinced of the youngster’s abilities
Former AS Roma midfielder Stefano Impallomeni has blasted Victor Osimhen for not scoring enough goals to match his unquestionable talents.
Impallomeni’s criticism may be a bit harsh on Osimhen, who missed a large chunk of the 2021-22 season due to a horrific facial injury but still managed to finish among the top ten goal scorers in Serie A.
Aside from his 15 league goals in 23 games, Osimhen struck four times in five Europa League matches before Barcelona dumped Napoli out of the competition.
Osimhen’s goals helped Il Partenopei finish in the Champions League places, and the 23-year-old was duly awarded the Serie A’s best U-23 player’s prize.
But one-time Parma ace Stefano Impallomeni is not impressed with Osimhen’s output. Impallomeni admits the young Nigerian forward has the potential to be a phenomenal striker.
But the 54-year-old is quick to point out that Osimhen is still way below that dizzying height, and he would not shed a tear should Napoli decide to cash in on the Super Eagles star.
“If a sensational offer for Osimhen were to arrive, I would sell him,” Impallomeni told TMW Radio as per Tutto Napoli.
“He is important, but he still seems a lot to me.
“Spalletti does not say it openly; he has improved but scores little for the skills he has. He is an excellent player, but he scores little. Maybe he will become a phenomenon, but now he is not.”
Despite his excellent contribution to Napoli’s attack, Osimhen is not considered indispensable by the Italian club.
Napoli are willing to listen to offers above €100 million for Osimhen, as Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle continue to weigh a move for the former Lille attacker.
For a striker who ‘scores little’, Osimhen went wild with goals on Monday, scoring four times – only the third Nigerian in history to do so – as Nigeria hit a record ten goals past Sao Tome and Principe in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played in Morocco.
And as per the latest Transfermarkt update, Osimhen is the most valuable player in Nigeria and Napoli, with a career-high estimated worth of €65 million.
