Adebayor backs Osimhen to shine in EPL

Former Arsenal and Manchester City striker, Emmanuel Adebayor, believes that Victor Osimhen has all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Napoli striker, who won the African Footballer of The Year award last December, has become one of the most sought after players in global football.

Last month the 25-year-old extended his contract with Italian champions Napoli until 2026, but that is unlikely to ward off suitors such as Arsenal and Chelsea, who retain significant interest in his services.

“He has the right attitude, mentality and determination to excel there (in England),” former Togo captain Adebayor told BBC Sport Africa.

“I’m praying for him to move to the Premier League and show what he’s capable of.”

Adebayor thinks the time is right for the Nigeria international to move to England and take up the mantle of the great African strikers from years gone by.

“The Premier League is the toughest and best (league) in the world,” Adebayor said.

“Osimhen has shown and done it already in Italy, I think it is the right time for him to move to England and replace his idol (Didier) Drogba and do beautiful things.”

Adebayor scored 97 goals in 241 appearances over the course of a decade in the Premier League, which began with the Gunners in 2006 and also included stints at Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Crystal Palace.

Having retired in March last year, he said his era in the English topflight was a beautiful time for African players.

“I remember very well when I was there, we had Didier Drogba in Chelsea, myself in Tottenham or Arsenal, Yakubu was also there, before we then had Samuel Eto’o join us at some point with Chelsea and Everton,” he said.

“But you know football has its own time — people come and go.”

Osimhen is currently on international duty with the Super Eagles as they aim to win a fourth Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.