Turkish Football Pundit Criticizes Victor Osimhen Despite Galatasaray's Champions League Success
In a surprising turn of events, Turkish football commentator Erman Toroglu has launched a scathing critique of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, despite the player's significant contributions to Galatasaray's UEFA Champions League campaign. This criticism comes even as Galatasaray secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the Round of 16 first leg, positioning themselves favorably for quarter-final qualification.
Osimhen's Record-Breaking Transfer and Performance
Victor Osimhen's journey to Galatasaray represents one of the most significant transfers in Turkish football history. After an impressive loan spell during the 2024/25 season where he scored 37 goals and provided eight assists across all competitions, Galatasaray made the move permanent with a record-breaking €75 million transfer fee. The Nigerian international now earns an annual salary of €21 million, making him one of the highest-paid footballers in the Turkish Super League.
His performances have been particularly crucial in European competitions, which was a primary motivation behind Galatasaray's substantial investment. The striker has been instrumental in the club's Champions League campaign this season, helping them secure that vital first-leg advantage against Premier League giants Liverpool.
Toroglu's Controversial Assessment
Despite Osimhen's contributions, Erman Toroglu has delivered a harsh evaluation of the striker's current situation at Galatasaray. The Turkish pundit claimed that Osimhen's performance levels are declining and predicted further deterioration if he remains with the Istanbul club.
"If Osimhen continues for another two years, his performance will decline," Toroglu stated. "Of course, he'll stay because, unlike in Europe, there are no taxes or anything on his salary. But today, when you look at Osimhen, he's regressing."
Toroglu went even further in his criticism, suggesting that Osimhen's substantial salary represents a disproportionate burden on the club's resources. "I won't complain about the money he's getting; it's 50% of this team's budget. He's literally squeezing oil out of a fly," he remarked.
The commentator even advised the Nigerian striker to consider leaving the club, claiming that Osimhen isn't receiving the service he needs from teammates. "If I were Osimhen, I'd leave the team. He's not even getting the passes he wants anyway," Toroglu concluded.
Statistical Context and Mitigating Factors
While Toroglu's criticism suggests declining performance, the statistics present a more nuanced picture. According to Transfermarkt data, Osimhen has registered 18 goals and seven assists this season across all competitions. While this represents a decrease from his previous season's tally, several mitigating factors must be considered.
The striker missed approximately one month of action due to his participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with the Nigerian national team. Additionally, he has dealt with injury concerns that have limited his availability at various points throughout the campaign. These absences naturally impact goal-scoring statistics and overall performance metrics.
Broader Criticism of Galatasaray's Management
Toroglu's criticism extended beyond Osimhen to include Galatasaray's manager Okan Buruk and the team's overall prospects against Liverpool. Despite the first-leg victory, the Turkish pundit expressed skepticism about Galatasaray's chances of progressing to the quarter-finals.
"What kind of football is this? Galatasaray has a large squad, and they still can't play well. Coach Okan can't utilise this team," Toroglu complained. "I'm sorry to say this, but under these conditions, they can't eliminate Liverpool. There's a huge difference between the Liverpool they beat and this Liverpool."
This criticism comes despite Galatasaray's impressive defensive performance that secured a clean sheet against one of Europe's most potent attacking teams.
Market Realities and Future Prospects
The discussion around Osimhen's future has gained additional context from reports about potential interest from European giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Analysis suggests that Osimhen's current salary at Galatasaray presents a significant obstacle to any potential transfer to mainstream European clubs.
To attract the Nigerian striker away from Turkey, clubs would need to offer nearly double his current €21 million annual earnings. This financial reality, combined with Osimhen's tax advantages in Turkey, creates substantial disincentives for a move away from Galatasaray in the immediate future.
As Galatasaray prepares for the crucial second leg at Anfield, the team finds itself in the unusual position of defending a lead against Liverpool while simultaneously facing internal criticism from prominent Turkish football voices. The coming weeks will reveal whether Osimhen and his teammates can silence their critics with performances on Europe's biggest stage.
