Osimhen battles injury record amid possible Napoli exit

Victor Osimhen is poised to make a comeback from his recent injury setback as Napoli faces Atalanta in Serie A this weekend. The 24-year-old Nigerian striker has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury while on international duty in October.

According to TransferMarkt, Osimhen’s injury history, comprising 14 different setbacks over seven years, has sparked discussions about his susceptibility to injuries. Seyi Babalola, the former Media Lead at Key To The City Lagos, attributes Osimhen’s frequent injuries to his intense playing style rather than a traditional sense of being injury-prone.

Babalola emphasizes that while Osimhen has experienced multiple injuries, many are impact-related, likely a result of his physical style of play. Despite his absence, Napoli struggled in recent fixtures, including a 1-1 draw with Union Berlin in the Champions League and a 1-0 home defeat to Empoli, leading to the dismissal of head coach Rudi Garcia.

Napoli’s recent poor form is seen by Babalola as a collective issue rather than solely Osimhen’s performance. He notes that the team has not replicated the same level of creativity and chance creation as in the previous season.

Walter Matarazzi, Napoli’s new coach, is counting on Osimhen’s return to boost the team’s fortunes. Osimhen’s comeback aligns with Napoli’s quest to regain their form and compete for the Serie A title after clinching their first Scudetto in 33 years.

However, uncertainties surround Osimhen’s future at Napoli. A social media incident involving the club’s TikTok account mocking him for a missed penalty created tension. Despite initially planning to sign a contract extension, Osimhen’s future became unclear. Former Nigerian captain John Mikel Obi has initiated a campaign to bring Osimhen to Chelsea in the Premier League, suggesting a potential move in the 2024 summer window.

As Osimhen aims to regain fitness for upcoming events like the AFCON tournament and the Serie A run, his performance will play a crucial role in shaping his future in Napoli and potential transfer possibilities.