Napoli striker Victor Osimhen revealed he received a message from his idol Didier Drogba: ‘It’s amazing to see an encouraging message from someone you grew up admiring.’ The Nigerian international was speaking to DAZN ahead of Napoli’s 2-0 win over Empoli and talked about the inevitable comparisons with Man City striker Erling Haaland, the importance of a coach like Luciano Spalletti in his development and why he feels he’s found his feet this season with the Partenopei:
“It’s good for the coach to have this confidence in me. It’s only right for me to try to replicate it on the pitch and do my best for the team.
“We are very happy with this win. It’s a difficult ground, we know what happened last season here, from 2-0 we lost 3-2, they are a good side and respect to them.
“We needed these three points and I am happy to be able to contribute with this goal. I think this season has been tremendous for me and I am happy to find my feet this season. To be considered one of the best strikers in Europe is a huge thing for me, it’s huge motivation, so I want to keep on going like this, getting the goals for the team and edging closer to our objective this season.
“Of course, Haaland is also a top scorer, you have to give it to him also. This has been one of the best seasons in my career, I hope to keep going like this and hopefully at the end of the season we’ll all have cause to rejoice.
“Spalletti? He is a coach who demands more from all his boys, in training he demands we give our all and go for the maximum. Now I understand him even more, he motivates me on the pitch as well as trying to correct me by screaming at me! That is normal, I think every coach does that.
“He has confidence in his boys, he gives us the strength we need, and the way to repay him is to give our all on the pitch and make him happy. I know that he is satisfied, but he still needs more from the boys and we will keep on giving him our best.
“Drogba? It’s amazing when you wake up or go on social media, see an encouraging message from someone you grew up admiring like Drogba. It’s a surprise and of course a big motivation for me. I have a smile on my face, because we spoke at length, I love what he did, I appreciate his confidence in me. I chose my idol very well and I’m happy about this too!”
