The leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has advised Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen against joining Chelsea, expressing concerns about the potential negative impact on his career.
In a brief 44-second video posted on social media, Ayodele warned Osimhen that moving to the London club could harm his prospects.
“I want to quickly advise as directly that Osimhen should not go to Chelsea because if he goes there, he will not shine and it will kill his career,” Ayodele stated.
He further cautioned the Nigerian Football Federation, saying, “NFF, if Osimhen should go to Chelsea, don’t call him again, and also calling him to the Super Eagles still needs to be previewed properly because we have what it takes to the World Cup and Nations Cup.”
This is not the first time Ayodele has criticized Chelsea.
In 2023, he suggested that the club was cursed and in need of spiritual intervention.
He remarked, “Chelsea are a finished club. If they are not careful, they will not function again. The people who bought Chelsea should go back to the owner and get his blessings.”
Ayodele warned, “Otherwise, if they put 10, 20 strikers, defenders, and the best goalkeeper in the world, there is a curse troubling Chelsea at the moment. I have told you to take these words very seriously if you want to progress; otherwise, Chelsea can go to relegation.”
He added, “Any team that now faces Chelsea can beat them; they need spiritual cleansing for them to wake up to the challenge that is ahead of them.”
Chelsea, currently in search of a reliable striker, is keen on securing Osimhen’s services after their pursuit of Atletico Madrid’s Samuel Omorodion fell through.
The 25-year-old Nigerian has become a prime target following his standout performances with Napoli.
Despite interest from major European clubs like Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, and Liverpool, Osimhen’s €130 million price tag has been a significant obstacle.
PSG and other suitors have stepped back, leaving Chelsea as the primary contender for his signature.
With the transfer window nearing its close, Napoli is under pressure to finalize Osimhen’s departure, and Chelsea remains a serious contender for the prolific striker’s signature as the new season approaches.
