Former Arsenal and Manchester City striker, Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, has expressed his firm belief in Victor Osimhen, the African Footballer of the Year, asserting that Osimhen possesses all the necessary attributes to flourish in the prestigious Premier League. Adebayor shared his insights in a recent interview with BBC Sports Africa, shedding light on the Nigerian striker’s journey in Italy’s Serie A.
Osimhen, the standout forward for Nigeria, clinched the prestigious continental award in December. He solidified his status as a sought-after commodity in the football transfer market. This surge in interest stems from his outstanding 2022-23 season, where his 26 goals secured him the top scorer position in Italy’s Serie A. Meanwhile, he played a pivotal role in ending Napoli’s 33-year league title drought.
Despite the 25-year-old extending his contract with Napoli until 2026 last month, football giants like Arsenal and Chelsea, expressing substantial interest, remain undeterred.
Adebayor lauded Osimhen’s attitude, mentality, and determination, emphasizing his belief in the Nigerian striker’s potential success in the English football scene. “I’m praying for him to move to the Premier League and show what he’s capable of,” he added.
A flashback to the mid to late 2000s reveals the dominance of African strikers in the Premier League, with luminaries such as Adebayor, Didier Drogba, and Yakubu making headlines for major clubs.
The representation of the continent’s forwards has diminished since then. Although Mohamed Salah and former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane lead Africa’s highest scorers in the Premier League, neither fits the traditional definition of an out-and-out centre-forward.
Osimhen, having idolized Ivory Coast striker Drogba in his formative years, openly aspires to play in the Premier League. While his recent contract extension and participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations are expected to deter suitors this month, anticipation rises for numerous clubs vying for the Napoli marksman’s signature at the season’s end.
Osimhen to continue Drogba’s legacy in Premier League ?
Adebayor, affectionately referring to Osimhen as his “younger brother,” believes it’s the opportune time for the Nigerian to relocate to England and inherit the legacy of Africa’s great strikers.
“The Premier League is the toughest and best (league) in the world,” Adebayor said. “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.”
A heartwarming mention in Osimhen’s acceptance speech for the African Footballer of the Year award in Morocco left Adebayor touched. Having won the CAF accolade in 2008, Adebayor shared insights into his mentor relationship with Osimhen.
Retiring in March last year after scoring 97 goals in 241 Premier League appearances over a decade, Adebayor fondly described his era in the English top flight as a “beautiful” time for African players and, notably, some English footballers as well.
