Victor Osimhen: 3 Reasons Why Napoli Star Has Struggled to Replicate 2022/23 Form This Season

• Victor Osimhen's numbers and form have dipped significantly this season
• The 25-year-old Napoli striker has struggled to build on last season's success
• The club's revolving managerial door and other factors have contributed to that

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, is the reigning African Footballer of the Year.

The Nigerian has struggled to match last season's performances in Italy due to a myriad of reasons.

He has been linked with a move away from the Italian side, and it appears he will be wearing a different jersey when next season kicks off.

In the 2022/23 season, Osimhen led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years. He did so by scoring 26 league goals, which won him the Golden Boot.

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This campaign, Napoli have put together a subpar title defence. Inter Milan have wrapped up the title with five matches to go, and Napoli are a staggering 37 points behind. It has been a dismal season for them.

Their woeful campaign has coincided with Osimhen's poor season by his standards. The Super Eagles star has 15 goals in 28 appearances in all competitions. Several reasons have contributed to his underwhelming season.

Reasons Osimhen has struggled this season

Lack of adequate service

Most fans expected Osimhen to build on his impressive 2022/23 season. However, he hasn't done that. Furthermore, his numbers this season are way lower compared to last season. He scored 31 goals last campaign and has just 15 this term, per Transfermarkt. He started the season well with six goals in his first eight league matches, then scored once in the subsequent five games.

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He's attempted 68 shots in the Serie A this season, with 29 hitting the target. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (7), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (7), and Matteo Politano (6) have registered the most assists for Napoli this season. The other players in the squad have three or fewer assists, per BBC. The striker averages just 3.4 shots per game in the Serie A.

For instance, Kvaratskhelia has assisted Osimhen three times in the league this season. That is simply not good enough. Napoli's failure to strengthen the squad with more playmakers has seen his numbers take a dip. Playmaker Jesper Lindstrom arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer but has zero goals and assists.

Coaching changes

Napoli entered this season with Rudi Garcia as their coach. They fired him after 16 matches and replaced him with their former manager, Walter Mazzarri. Mazzarri lasted for three months before he was shown the door. Francesco Calzona, their former assistant coach, was brought in to steady the ship. Those are three coaches in one season.

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All these coaches have brought their own styles of play, which have affected the team's continuity and chemistry. Luciano Spalletti's entertaining style got the best out of Osimhen, and the frequent changes have affected his form and confidence.

Osimhen's uncertain future

The Nigeria striker has been linked with a move away from the club in the last few months. PSG, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United have been linked with the striker. The constant chatter about his future at Napoli may have affected his focus.

Napoli also failed to build a better squad around him after the Serie A win, which clearly signalled that the striker was on his way out. He is the best footballer in Africa right now, and he probably feels he should be playing in the Champions League for some of Europe's big teams.

Troost-Ekong on what makes Osimhen special

Sports Brief earlier reported on Troost-Ekong lauding Osimhen, his Super Eagles teammate.

The centre-back named a few qualities that make the 25-year-old striker special, such as his work ethic, speed and power.