The agent of newly signed Salernitana forward Simy Nwankwo says his client doesn’t owe the coach of the senior national team Gernot Rohr any explanation over his decision to join the newly promoted side.
Last season Simy scored 20 goals in the Serie A but it wasn’t enough to keep Crotone in the top division as they were relegated to the Serie B. Rohr advised the lanky forward to make a move to a team better than Crotone if he wants to get his spot back in the national team of Nigeria.
“I know Simy very well, it was me who called him for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He performed well at that competition, after which he played for some time in the Italian Serie B. I have never forgotten about him and have always observed him, not just now that he is doing so well.,” Rohr told Europa Calcio.
“However, the competition is huge: we have Osimhen, Iheanacho from Leicester and Onuauchu from Genk, who is very similar to Simy in terms of features and physical structure. Without forgetting Sadiq and Ighalo.
“So it is very difficult to be part of the Nigeria attack, we have very good players. As I said before, I have never stopped following his performances, but I believe that next year he must go and play in a club and in a team that is stronger than Crotone.
“It will not be equally easy, but he would already have a better chance of returning to the national team “.
Simy was linked with top teams like Lazio and Sampdoria including newly promoted English Premier League side Norwich City but nothing came out of the link leaving him with no choice but to join Salernitana.
Reacting to the move and his national team ambition, his representative said it is the best for his career and he owes Rohr no explanation over his decision to move to the newly promoted side.
“ It is the wish of the coach just as we also wished but at the end of the day had to settle with the best available option that will see him stay in the Italian top flight. He could have made more money if he took up the offers he got from Asia and the Middle East”, his agent said.
“ Salernitana matched his ambition of staying in Italy and playing in the Serie A hence I don’t think he owes the coach any explanation on the move. He has to make it count if he wants to get his spot back in the national team. It’s as simple as that”.
