As speculation grows around Victor Osimhen’s potential departure from Napoli, Cristian Stellini, assistant to Antonio Conte, has hinted that the club’s future replacement for the star striker will need to offer more than just physical presence.
Since his arrival at Napoli from Lille, Osimhen has been a pivotal figure in the club’s setup, playing a crucial role in Napoli's triumph in securing their first Scudetto in 33 years during the 2022/23 season, where he scored 26 goals.
His stock significantly rose following this achievement, and in recent months, he has been linked with a potential move away from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move away from the club for the past few months, with a host of clubs vying for his signature.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have all been linked to the Nigerian international.
However, Stellini believes that Osimhen's potential replacement should have a well-rounded skill set capable of enhancing the team’s offensive capabilities, rather than merely replicating Osimhen's physical attributes.
Stellini advocates for a versatile striker as Osimhen's successor
In a recent interview as relayed by Calcio Mercato, Stellini shed light on the qualities they seek in a potential replacement:
“After Osimhen, I would choose a striker with a strong physical structure, just like Victor. And who has more arrows in his bow, with characteristics that can score goals and enhance his teammates in the offensive department,” he said.
With the Nigerian forward’s imminent departure, the Gli Azzurri have been linked with Belgian international Romelu Lukaku, who shares similar traits with Osimhen. Conte is believed to be a notable admirer of the Chelsea forward.
Amid uncertainty surrounding his future, Osimhen joined his teammates last week to commence the club's pre-season training at Dimaro-Folgarida.
