Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has claimed that he couldn’t believe it when Chelsea legend Didier Drogba messaged him last year.
He told the Daily Mail that the impact of the Ivorian on his career is unmatched.
Osimhen has been linked with a big transfer in the summer, with the Blues one of the sides reportedly interested in the deal.
The signing would certainly not come cheap. It has been claimed that a record-smashing fee of £150m would be required to bring him in.
The Nigerian is enjoying a stellar season in a Napoli side who are close to securing the title in Serie A.
Osimhen has 25 goals in all competitions this season, scoring 21 in 23 in the Italian league already.
He has formed a devastating duo with attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has also not been short of potential interest for this summer.
The striker has now spoken of the influence Drogba has been on his career, reminiscing to the joy of receiving a message from him last year.
Osimhen praises Drogba
He said: “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.”
Chelsea fans potentially scouting Osimhen will have to wait longer than tonight before seeing him, with injury ruling him out of tonight’s Champions League game.