Jose Mourinho: It's impossible to compare Osimhen and Lukaku to Drogba

Jose Mourinho says top strikers like Osimhen and Lukaku can't compare to Drogba. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Jose Mourinho: It's impossible to compare Osimhen and Lukaku to Drogba

Izuchukwu Akawor 19:58 - 22.12.2023

Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku will face off this weekend in the Serie A, with Jose Mourinho asked to weigh in on the duo and his former player, Didier Drogba.

Ahead of their match against Serie Champions SSC Napoli this weekend, AS Roma manager, Jose Mourinho has expressed his opinion on Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku.

Mourinho was asked during his pre-match press conference to compare the two strikers and his former player, Didier Drogba.

Mourinho on Osimhen and Lukaku

Mourinho’s Roma will host the defending champions Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night.

Both teams will be looking to return to winning ways after defeats in their last matches. Roma lost at Bologna last weekend while Napoli suffered an embarrassing loss to Frosinone at home in the Coppa Italia.

AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho. | Credit: Imago

Ahead of the all-important clash which would prove decisive in the battle for the title and European spots, Mourinho had a lot to say about the match especially Serie A striker of the year, Osimhen.

On the Nigerian forward, the former Manchester United coach was asked to compare him to his striker Lukaku and legendary forward, Drogba. 

African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, with his coveted award. (Photo Credit: CAF/X)

“They are two very strong attackers who are different from each other. One lowers himself more and creates an understanding with his teammates,” Mourinho said per Wayne Girard. 

“The other is more direct and gives more depth. They are two very good players and Serie A must be happy to have them both. They could play in other leagues. They are two top players, there is no story.  

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No Drogba comparison

On his former player at English club Chelsea, Drogba, the enigmatic Portuguese was reluctant to compare directly.

Drogba celebrates scoring in the 2005 EFL Cup final against Liverpool | Imago

"Drogba was different from them,” he added. “It's hard to compare, I've never liked doing these things. Osimhen is the best African player and Drogba was. Lukaku has African parents but he is European and does not fall into that classification. We are talking about top players."  

As Mourinho prepares Lukaku and his teammates to welcome the Osimhen-led Napoli to Rome, he would be hoping that his Romans can take all three points while keeping the African Player of the Year quiet during the encounter. 

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