… Fonte knocks Chelsea for missing out on Nigerian
Former Southampton defender Jose Fonte has criticised Chelsea for failing to sign Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.
Osimhen, who was crowned 2023 CAF African Footballer of The Year, was reportedly a target for the Blues last summer before securing a season-long loan move to the Turkish giants in September.
The 26-year-old has been in scintillating form for Galatasaray, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists in 22 appearances across all competitions this season, continuing the prolific streak that saw him become Serie A’s top scorer with 26 goals in Napoli’s title-winning 2022/23 campaign.
“Chelsea are crying out for a striker like Victor Osimhen. Look at Chelsea and all the greats they have had up front. As a striker, he could be another Didier Drogba for them, he is a winner,” Fonte told BoyleSports.
“They have a different style of play and Drogba is a legend, but he has pace, power and technical quality. He wins his duels and is such a handful for defenders.”
The Portuguese defender, who played alongside Osimhen at Lille, expressed surprise that no Premier League club secured the Nigerian’s signature.
“When I saw Victor Osimhen go to Galatasaray, I thought it was foolish that no Premier League club had signed him. Once Osimhen gets into the Premier League, I think he will bully defenders, he is aggressive, fast, clever and powerful,” Fonte added.
“I played against him in the Champions League and I’m sure he took it easy on me as a friend at almost 40, but it was still a nightmare.”
“He’s a player that has been a hardworking kid, that came from nothing, as a grafter, and all the success that he’s having, he deserves it. I can’t wait to see him in the Premier League because he’s one of those guys that you want to see against the very best.”
Meanwhile, Serie A giants Juventus are reportedly preparing a €75m bid for the striker as a replacement for Dusan Vlahovic next summer, with sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, who signed Osimhen for Napoli in 2020, keen on reuniting with the Nigerian at the Allianz Stadium.
According to Spanish website Fichajes.net, Chelsea are now targeting either Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, who has scored nine goals with two assists in 24 appearances this season, or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who has netted 32 goals and provided five assists in 71 appearances for the German club.
