The Super Eagles striker moved to Cremonese from Club Brugge last summer, and despite his team's struggles in the Serie A rankings, it is claimed that he can still score at least ten goals this year.
The goal of Nigerian international David Okereke, according to his agent Patrick Bastianelli, is to link up with fellow countryman Victor Osimhen in Naples.
He believed that the 25-year-old's versatility would enable him to seamlessly blend into the Parthenopean starting line-up.
Recall that Cremonese allegedly spent a club record 10 million euros during the last transfer window to sign the Nigerian attacker from Club Brugge and strengthen their line-up for the Serie A league season in 2022–23.
For the Tigers, however, things appear to not be going as planned as they now lie at the bottom of the Italian league with only 7 points after 18 games played.
However, after guiding the squad to a disastrous run of 11 losses without a victory, Massimiliano Alvini was fired and Davide Ballardini was brought in to replace him.
But when the former Genoa manager takes over at the Giovanni Zini Stadium, the agent anticipates something different.
“Ballardini has just arrived, tonight will be the first official match and I expect something new right away, for example the form. I imagine Cremonese will take the field with a 3-5-2 with a slightly more compact team, but it will be equally difficult for Cremonese to face Napoli.” According to TuttoNapoli's report from Radio Crc, he said.
On the other hand, Okereke has made an effort on an individual level, scoring only three goals for the Violins in 18 starts for the Italian team. But according to his agent, despite the team's struggles in the relegation zone, he can still score ten or more goals this year.
“I hope he can complete his path playing in an important team because from a technical and character point of view he has everything to make an important leap in quality. I expect from Okereke that he will complete the season in double figures because then whoever plays in attack must make up the numbers.” he said.
Victor Osimhen, who has scored 12 goals and now sits three goals ahead of Ademola Lookman in the Serie A scoring chart, has been the talk of the town for the last few weeks.
However, Okereke's agent admits that his client can truly fit into the style of Luciano Spalletti's team and that his desire is to play with his countryman in Napoli.
“His dream is to team up with his friend Osimhen. In the attacking line-up of Napoli he could fit in. Now he is focused on Cremonese and dreams of salvation.” says Bastianelli.
Today's match between Napoli and Cremonese serves as the debut Ballardini match. The three Nigerians Osimhen, Okereke, and Cyriel Dessers will also face off against one other in the Coppa Italia.
