‘Back to the Sender” – Napoli President slams Osimhen for only playing 50% –

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The relationship between Victor Osimhen and Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is said to have broken down further

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis recently expressed his frustration with star striker Victor Osimhen’s availability issues and their impact on the Partenopei’s poor 2023/24 season.

Osimhen’s injuries and Napoli’s failures

Osimhen, who helped Napoli win their first Italian league title in 33 years in the 2022/23 season with 26 goals in 32 matches during that campaign, is suffering from fitness this season in addition to being absent for a month due to his participation in Africa. Nations Cup.

Frustrated Victor Osimhen || imago

Osimhen has only played 24 out of 37 Serie A matches this season, and despite scoring 15 times and providing three assists in those matches, the Nigerian striker’s absence in key matches has severely affected Napoli.

The former champions have managed to win just four of the 13 matches Osimhen has missed in the league this season, as they produced the worst title defense in the history of the 20-team Serie A.

During a press conference as the 2023-24 season came to a close, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis did not hold back in his criticism of the star striker, suggesting that Osimhen’s fitness issues have limited his ability to contribute consistently to the team.

President of Naples De Laurentiis || Credit: Sky Sports

He told reporters: “You can’t force coaches to coach a club or you can’t make sure that your first striker has scored twenty-eight goals and that he’s not sick and that he’s played maybe 50% of the matches he should be in.” I played.”

“I collect everything about myself. That’s fine, but I mean, at some point, I also send something to the sender,”

Osimhen is unlikely to remain a Napoli player for much longer as the Nigeria international is wanted by a host of other clubs ahead of a potential summer move. The star striker is said to have a release clause of €120m and several interested clubs are willing to pay the fee.