Chelsea given boost as Osimhen told to 'replace his idol Drogba'

Cameron Smith

• 8 Jan 2024 13:49 GMT
• 3 min read

Former Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has urged Victor Osimhen to leave Napoli in order to “do beautiful things” in England.

Adebayor, who scored 97 Premier League goals during his playing career, spoke to BBC Africa ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and admitted that Osimhen has all the traits necessary to “excel” in the Premier League.

Osimhen, 25, is one of the favourites for the AFCON top goal-scorer award after he bagged 31 goals for Napoli last season, and he remains a key transfer target for Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.

In fact, recent reports suggest the Blues could trigger Osimhen’s eye-watering €120 million release clause in order to seal a deal for the Nigerian.

What has Emmanuel Adebayor said about Victor Osimhen?

Speaking to BBC Africa, Adebayor admitted: “He [Osimhen] has the right attitude, mentality and determination to excel there [in England]. I'm praying for him to move to the Premier League and show what he's capable of.

“The Premier League is the toughest and best [league] in the world,” the ex-Arsenal striker continued.

“Osimhen has shown and done it already in Italy, I think it is the right time for him to move to England and replace his idol Drogba and do beautiful things.

“He has all it takes to make a name and write a great chapter in England like Drogba.”

Osimhen was recently named African Footballer of the Year for 2023 and he thanked Adebayor during his acceptance speech.

“I started talking to him one or two years [ago],” Adebayor revealed. “Every time I talk to him, it's about encouragement, and I tell him what to do and what not to do. I didn't even know that he was listening.

“To come on a bigger stage like the Caf awards, the Ballon d'Or of Africa, and mention my name, and thank me for the encouragement… to be honest with you, I got emotional," Adebayor concluded.

Chelsea fans were recently given encouragement regarding their club’s pursuit of Osimhen following reports that he is willing to agree to a deal that will see him move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The Napoli man also hinted that a move to west London was on the cards with a message on social media in December.