MY ACCOUNT
Red-hot Napoli will be relishing the chance to pile more misery on struggling Liverpool at Anfield this evening.
Luciano Spalletti’s Serie A leaders will pip the Reds to top spot in their Champions League group provided they do not lose by four or more goals on Merseyside.
The visitors made it 17 games unbeaten in all competitions at the weekend thanks to a 4-0 thumping of Sassuolo, with in-demand striker Victor Osimhen helping himself to a hat-trick.
As Premier League links continue to gather pace, we put the prolific Nigerian’s achievements and future under the microscope.
Hot start
Few could have foreseen Napoli’s sublime start to 2022-23 — but Osimhen’s position at the top of the Serie A goalscoring charts was somewhat more predictable.
The former Lille man bagged 10 times when first heading to Italy two seasons ago and then found the net on 18 occasions in just 32 appearances last term.
Had he not sustained a nasty cheekbone fracture last November, leading him to still use a protective mask to this day, he would have been challenging Ciro Immobile for top scorer.
A hamstring problem sustained against Liverpool in September prompted more time on the sidelines but the 23-year-old has not let it halt his momentum.
Eight strikes in 10 games across all competitions mean he remains firmly on course for a personal best season in front of goal.
Prized asset
It is little wonder then that Osimhen is attracting interest from around Europe.
Manchester United and Arsenal lead his long list of suitors, with the Nigerian seen as a perfect fit to spearhead Erik ten Hag’s new-look Red Devils.
Rumours of a January bid from Old Trafford continue to persist, while reports in Italy claim the Gunners already saw their advances rebuffed over the summer.
It has been widely reported that the Premier League leaders offered £68million to lure Osimhen to the Emirates in July, only for club chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis to stand firm.
That already looks a wise call, with Osimhen’s stock continuing to rise at a remarkable rate.
Real deal
For those who remain unconvinced by the hype surrounding Osimhen, a dig into his underlying numbers should make for eye-opening reading.
Comparing him against strikers to have played 600 minutes or more across Europe’s top five leagues this term, only Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe have scored more goals per 90 minutes.
What is more, his 5.12 shots per 90 in Serie A is a higher tally than any of the continent’s top marksmen, showcasing the one-track mind possessed by the Super Eagles sensation.
In contrast, nifty build-up play is not something the No9 concerns himself with, taking an average of just 29.22 touches per 90 minutes.
That is almost an identical tally to fellow goal machine Haaland (28.31) — but miles away from the totals of sharpshooters such as Karim Benzema (63.63) and Mbappe (57.56).
Osimhen is an old-fashioned centre forward. Leave him up front, feed him with chances and watch the goals roll in.
Red Devil in waiting
Signed on in Naples until the summer of 2025, there is no need for Napoli to sell Osimhen in January — but they surely face a summer of struggle if he keeps up his irrepressible form.
If it is a case of United and Arsenal both tabling bids, the numbers suggest the Red Devils could be a better fit.
While the Gunners have impressed this season, a pivotal part of their improvement under Mikel Arteta has been ex-Manchester City man Gabriel Jesus’ selfless line-leading.
Jesus is the epitome of an unselfish striker, taking 53.83 touches per 90 minutes and carving out a sensational 0.43 assists from open play per game — often at the expense of his own goal tally.
If Arsenal are to continue with the approach that has made them such a joy to watch, adding an out-and-out poacher like Osimhen to their line-up risks upsetting the balance of their XI.
Instead, the Nigerian would surely be better off in a direct United side that could properly utilise his pace with their counter-attacking approach.
Ten Hag’s men have attempted nearly twice as many through balls as the North Londoners this term, which should be music to Osimhen’s ears.
Ultimately, attention will turn to his future once this season is done — and the Partenopei are set on making it one to remember.
