1982 World Cup winner insists Osimhen must take penalties without having any fears

1982 World Cup-winning striker with the Italian national team Francesco Graziani has insisted that Victor Osimhen should be on penalty-taking duties for Napoli to improve his chances of winning the Golden Boot in the Serie A. 

The Nigeria international has often conceded the ball to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in penalty kick situations, which has been queried by Graziani.

Since Osimhen's arrival at Napoli in 2020, he has taken just one penalty, against Liverpool in the Champions League, and it was saved by Alisson in the first half at the Diego Maradona Stadium back in September. 

Graziani has criticized Osimhen, saying the Napoli number 9 has shied away from taking penalties despite being a center forward. 

In quotes relayed by Napolipiu, Gaziani said during the Fuorigioco broadcast : "In my opinion Osimhen is making a serious mistake.

"There is no such thing as an attacker pulling back at the moment of a penalty and letting another player kick. He should take the ball and also shoot from the penalty spot.

"This way he is missing out on the chance to score even more goals ."

He added : " Usually the teams that are in the lead have at least 7-8 penalties in favor a season. For example, I'll give you Ciro Immobile who has kicked many.

"Osimhen must go and take penalties without having any fears ".

Osimhen tops the scoring charts in the Italian Serie A with a haul of sixteen goals, four more than international teammate Ademola Lookman and Inter Milan's Argentina World Cup winner Lautaro Martínez.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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