Spalletti maintains that Osimhen is still Napoli's No. 1 striker

Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has given a vote of confidence to Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen amongst other Napoli strikers as the 2022/23 Italian Serie A season progresses.

The Partenopei had a busy summer transfer period, bringing in forwards in the form of Giovanni Simeone on loan from Hellas Verona while little-known Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also joined on a permanent deal from Dinamo Batumi.

While Osimhen has started the 2022/23 season with a bang, Kvaratskhelia has also found his scoring boots while Simeone who was brought in to rival the Nigerian international is chomping at the bits to get a chance.

Napoli won their second consecutive Seria A match with a 4-0 victory over Monza on Sunday with Osimhen leading the line for the Neapolitans at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

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With Simeone selected on the bench against Monza, Spalletti explained that the Argentine striker knew he would have to battle Osimhen for a starting spot in the Napoli team before he joined the Naples side.

"When he decided to come here he knew that Osimhen was there and he did everything to come, he didn’t want to hear about other teams and he knew about Osimhen," as quoted by correctscore.

"He sure he has the personality to make himself available. He’s a hard worker, even in the dirt for his teammates, as well as knowing how to score and that’s enough for me.”

Spalletti went on to admit that he is open to playing both Osimhen and Simeone together but the strike pair must prove that they can work together for him to do that. 

The Napoli coach explained: "The coexistence of both attackers will be determined by what they show me, based on what they will give, and we will evaluate if it will be possible to make them play together.

“In my opinion it does not matter if they play together, but if you win the game. To win, to have team balance. For me Simeone is a top striker, like Victor, but Simeone is someone who has made the road to get here all by himself, he is one who has impressed me immediately since I saw him."

Napoli will be in action again on Sunday, August 28 when they travel to the Stadio Artemio Franchi to face Fiorentina in their Matchday 3 fixture of the 2022/23 Serie A season.