Italian forward Giacomo Raspadori has opened up on speculations that he’s deputising Nigerian talisman Victor Osimhen in Napoli’s attacking department npflupdates.com reports.
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Raspadori has found the back of the net a three times in his last four games for Napoli since Osimhen travelled to Nigeria.
Osimhen had been in Nigeria for over a week on the permission of Napoli’s board so he can attend to family matters.
“Victor Osimhen spoke to our secretary as he decided to travel to Nigeria, he has our permission,” Napoli official Meluso was quoted by Journalist Fabrizio Romano.
“He’ll return once he resolves some personal issues, he’s also injured so he’s still recovering. I think he’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Also the former Olympique Lille forward, while away in Nigeria will undergo rehabilitation for an injury he sustained in a Super Eagles friendly match last October.
The 24-year-old picked up an injury in a 2-2 draw against Saudi Arabia and has since then missed Napoli’s crucial games against Hella Verona, Union Berlin, AC Milan and Salernitana.
However, in his absence Raspadori, have stepped up his games helping Napoli win three and drawing one of the four matches.
Also read: 2 Reasons Why Osimhen May Not Win CAF ‘Best Player’ Award – Expert
According to Raspadori, there’s no deputy in Napoli’s team. The 23-year-old stressed that choices made by the team, is always a function of the team.
“There is no deputy on this team. The choices made are always a function of the team. Our mentality, of us players, is this, we know that everyone can make the contribution to the team. That’s my thought but also that of my teammates,” Giacomo Raspadori Per Napoli Zone on X.
🎙️Raspadori on being Osimhen's deputy?
"There is no deputy on this team. The choices made are always a function of the team. Our mentality, of us players, is this, we know that everyone can make the contribution to the team. That's my thought but also that of my teammates." pic.twitter.com/THxRSNmIOJ
— Napoli Zone (@TheNapoliZone) November 7, 2023
Osimhen according to sources will return to Italy in Wednesday; and will subjected to fitness test as Napoli hopes to have him back ahead of their travel to Santiago Bernabeu on 29th November.
In another development, former Golden Eaglets coach Emmanuel Amunike believes Osimhen has what it take to be the world best striker.
Also read: Tella In, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Ndidi Out Of Super Eagles W’Cup Qualifiers
“There is no doubt about his character, in terms of his desire and zeal to achieve something, succeed and win,” Amuneke, who nurtured Osimhen while Nigeria Under-17 coach, told BBC Sport Africa
“As a coach at youth level, that was something that made me admire him. That is one of the best [attributes] for a player to make it to the highest stage.”
