Victor Osimhen lauds Gattuso and Spalletti for his career exploits in Italy

Gattuso masterminded Osimhen’s signing from Ligue 1 club, Lille in 2020 despite the huge price tag placed on him, with the then Napoli manager fought hard to bring the Nigerian forward to Naples.

The Serie A legend left the Napoli after almost two yeas in charge, failing to qualify for the Champions League, and paved way for Luciano Spalletti in the summer, who made Osimhen his most dangerous weapon for the Partenopei this season, scoring 21 goals and providing five assists in 23 Serie A appearances.

Napoli are only weeks away from winning their first Scudetto in over three decades and the 24-year-old has paid homage to Gattuso for his managerial expertise and father figure role, while appreciating Spalletti for his growth.

“I owe a lot to Gennaro Gattuso because he worked on my motivation and the enhancement of my self-esteem, but with Spalletti my growth has been greater because of the work done over the months,” Osimhen told France Football.

“Spalletti always asked me to be explosive, to be like dynamite for opposing defenses. An assessment has been made of my running, the distances I have to keep from defenders and how I have to react to assists.

“There are five metres I can cover faster than the others, I have to stay in that distance. I could only listen to the stories of the previous Scudetto celebrations. I’m curious to find out what the Neapolitans will organize.

‘It is an honour for me to play in Naples, where Maradona played. I want to win this Scudetto to see the joy on the fans’ faces, I can’t wait to see that celebration. It will be exciting.”