Ex-Juventus star likens Osimhen to Chelsea legend Vialli but plays down importance to Napoli

Former Juventus midfielder Giancarlo Marocchi has played down the importance of Victor Osimhen to Napoli, saying the Parthenopeans would still be topping the Serie A table even if the Super Eagles striker was loaned to the three superpowers in the division Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

With his two headed goals in Napoli's 4-0 rout of Torino on Sunday, Osimhen became the top scoring Nigerian in a single season in the Serie A, breaking the record perviously held by ex-Crotone goal poacher Simeon Tochukwu Nwankwo. 

The 24-year-old needs one more goal to become the highest scoring African in a single season in the Italian top-flight, an honour he currently shares with ex-Inter Milan attacker and Cameroon legend Samuel Eto'o.

Napoli have scored 64 goals in the Serie A this season, with their number 9 Osimhen accounting for 33 percent of the goals - a testament to the impact he has on the team. 

Marocchi likened Osimhen to Chelsea and Juventus legend Gianluca Vialli, citing the Nigerian's willingness to fight for the ball. 

In quotes relayed by Area Napoli, Marocchi said on Sky Sport Italia : "Victor Osimhen ? I had Gianluca Vialli who was like that.  

"You could also miss a pass, when you played with Gianluca, because you knew he went for every ball.

"You love him and you embrace him, someone like this: fight for every ball and hide your mistake.

"If you loan Osimhen to Juventus , Inter or Milan, however, Spalletti's Napoli will remain first even with Raspadori. I am convinced of that."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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