Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has linked up with Nigeria and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in the midst of rumours surrounding a possible move for the Serie A top scorer to Stamford Bridge.
Osimhen grew up on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria idolising Didier Drogba who was leading the line for Chelsea at the time. The 24-year-old inadvertently became a fan of the Premier League side and has been a fan ever since, even after his Ivorian idol left the club.
He has tried to emulate the former Olympique de Marseille man’s playing style and has also stated how much he favours a move to England just like Drogba. Currently one of the hottest properties in football, the Nigerian is on the verge of achieving his dream to play in the Premier League.
He could do one better for himself and end up at Chelsea, the club he has supported since childhood as the Blues have earmarked him for a summer transfer. Recent reports have now claimed that the Napoli striker has linked up with his idol Dorgna, further fuelling the speculations of his move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Osimhen, however, claims that both of them have been in contact since 2015, just after he burst into the scene as the best young striker aged 17 and under following his exploits at the FIFA under-17 World Cup.
“I have always supported Drogba and I have huge love and admiration for him,” Osimhen said to Daily Mail. “I remember when he scored the equaliser in the 2012 Champions League Final, an amazing header, and the way I celebrated was as though I had scored the goal. My friends knew I was obsessed with Drogba.
“When I scored 10 goals and won the Golden Boot at the Under-17 World Cup in 2015, one of the Nigeria staff showed me a tweet from Drogba.
“It said ‘Congratulations Victor. I wish you all the best for the future.’ I was shocked.
“I never believed someone like Didier Drogba would tweet those words to a young aspiring striker. It gave me a whole new motivation to succeed.
“Trust me, he has been so helpful. One morning last year I woke up and checked my Instagram, and found messages to me from him, complimenting me, but saying I still had a long way to go. It’s amazing to be in contact with him.
“I try to model my game on his and there are a lot of things I can take from his game and add to my own, so there is nothing better for a young player.
“He’s a hero in his country, he’s played to the highest level, won a lot and made African youngsters dream.
“He’s a busy man but whenever he sees my messages on Instagram he replies immediately. It’s a great feeling.”
Should Drogba influence the Nigerian’s move to Chelsea, it will cost the Blues around £150 million as Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is adamant that his ace will not leave the Diego Armando Maradona stadium for less than that.
