Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has finally broken his silence on Victor Osimhen’s decision to join arch-rivals Galatasaray on loan.
The Nigerian striker’s move to Turkey came after proposed transfers to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia fell through due to transfer fees and personal reasons.
Recall that the Portuguese tactician said if he was coaching a club that could afford Osimhen’s transfer fee, he would have gone for him.
Furthermore, Mourinho cautioned clubs in England not to miss out on signing the 25-year-old talented forward to a rival team.
What Jose Mourinho said about Victor Osimhen
Now, Mourinho, who is a long-time admirer of Osimhen’s talent, hailed Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray as “brilliant” and expressed his desire to work with the 25-year-old forward.
In an interview with HT Spor, Jose Mourinho said: “Osimhen is a great player. If I were at a club that could give €70-75 million, I would take him.”
“I have a very good relationship with him. I just don’t like the way he throws himself down a lot.”
However, the Portuguese tactician also criticized Osimhen’s tendency to dive excessively during matches, stating, “He throws himself down a lot.”
In the interview with HT Spor, Mourinho recalled a conversation he had with Osimhen during Roma’s match against Napoli, where he urged the striker to refrain from diving.
Jose Mourinho added: “The last time we played against him during Roma vs Napoli, I had this conversation with him.
“I told Osimhen, ‘You are one of the best players in Africa along with Salah. Before, there were Drogba, Eto’o, and Weah. You can’t be diving.’
“He dives too much, and that’s my problem with him, but after 10 minutes, we are fine.”
Meanwhile, Osimhen’s transfer to Galatasaray has caused a stir in the football community, with doubts raised about his choice to reject opportunities in England and Saudi Arabia in favour of Turkey.
Despite a series of criticisms, it is undeniable that the Nigerian striker possesses the skill and strength to reach great heights in his career at any club.
Victor Osimhen’s Impressive Achievement With Napoli And Nigeria National Team
The Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has made waves in the football world with his outstanding performances for both Napoli and the Nigerian national team.
Since joining Napoli in 2020 for a club-record fee of €70 million, Osimhen has proven his worth, winning numerous awards and breaking records.
In the 2021-22 season, Osimhen won the Serie A Best Young Player award, and in the following campaign, he finished as the league’s top scorer with 26 goals, a record-high for an African player.
He helped Napoli win their first Serie A title in 33 years and was named the league’s Best Striker and Serie A Footballer of the Year in the 2021/22 season.
Furthermore, Osimhen is currently the highest-scoring African player in Serie A history with 65 goals.
On the international stage, he won the Golden Boot award at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup and has played in two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, reaching the final in 2023. He is the joint-third all-time highest goalscorer for Nigeria.
He also finished eighth in the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony, becoming the first Nigerian to make the top ten.
Additionally, he was named African Footballer of the Year at the 2023 CAF Awards, the first Nigerian to receive this honor since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
Do you think Victor Osimhen can maintain his impressive form at Galatasaray and overcome his tendency to dive to reach his full potential? Please, share your thoughts with us in the comments box below:
