Why ‘humble’ Osimhen is thriving at Galatasaray

Ismael Garcia Gomez, the assistant manager of Galatasaray, admits that the club was surprised when the opportunity came along to sign one of the most sought-after strikers.

Victor Osimhen’s move to Saudi Arabia or top clubs in the Premier League and La Liga was linked with top clubs at the end of August.

But a couple of days into September, the 25-year-old Nigerian was being mobbed at the airport arrivals in Istanbul, having signed on a year’s loan with the Turkish champions.

“We all know his summer was a bit shaky, there were so many rumours, just that he was definitely not staying]at] Napoli”, Garcia Gomez tells BBC Sport. “There were options in Saudi, Chelsea, I don’t know exactly what happened.

” But in]the] last days of]the] market there was an option for us to try. The head coach Okan Buruk and I were about to take a flight back to Istanbul when we had our first conversation.

As Napoli won the title in 2022-23 with 26 goals in 32 Serie A games, Osimhen exploded into the international football consciousness.

However, things turned sour after Osimhen left Napoli for the 2023-24 campaign despite the club’s slump in form, manager turnover, and some dubious social media activity in relation to the Nigerian.

Due to Antonio Conte’s decision to sign Romelu Lukaku as his direct replacement for the 2024-2005 season, Osimhen was given a squad number due to how bad relations turned out.

Unsurprisingly, Osimhen had connections to almost all of Europe’s major clubs, despite Napoli’s new contract, which did not facilitate or cost-effective a move.

“Galatasaray was an amazing option for him”, Garcia Gomez says. It was very straightforward to make the deal because we learned that he was extremely motivated to be a member of our family.

Osimhen’s decision to join a Turkish club rather than risk the prestige of England or Saudi Arabia was generally shocked, but according to Turkish football journalist Kaan Bayazit, Galatasaray fits him on a number of fronts.

“The wages being thrown around in the Premier League now make a big difference”, he told BBC Sport. “Nottingham Forest wouldn’t bat an eyelid at his wages.

Galatasaray have, however, recently been breaking the bank. Also I don’t think Osimhen wanted to settle, he wanted to stay at the very top.

“You either go for ambition, or you go for the really big bag – and he wanted the top level”.

Osimhen has a large fan base and expectations for his new club in Europe. Galatasaray, who has won the previous two Super Lig titles, are a 24-time Turkish champion.

Numerous well-known players make up the Galatasaray squad, including Davinson Sanchez, Hakim Ziyech, and Mauro Icardi.

“He has been smart, humble, coming to our club”, Garcia Gomez said. “The main part of squad has been together for two years, winning back-to-back championships.

” But he came in a smart way, trying to be a part of it, not as a typical star. He has been very humble and diligent, despite not anticipating that the club would adapt to him.

Part of Osimhen’s success has come from Buruk adjusting his tactics – which, Bayazit says, has not been without teething trouble.

” They have made some adjustments already – they played 3-5-2 against Besiktas for example, after they played 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 in recent seasons, “he says.

When Osimhen arrived, Icardi was hurt. Icardi was anticipating a longer-term absence when Osimhen arrived. However, he returned for the Fenerbahce derby, so they are now adjusting that.

Players’ deployment around Osimhen shows that he is unplanned for his arrival. The 3-5-2 was played against Besiktas despite Galatasaray’s lack of specialist full-backs. Galatasaray won 2-1 – Osimhen scoring the winner – with two goals from set-pieces, having given up the majority of possession and chances.

Other experiments include a 4-4-2 versus Kasimpasa, where Galatasaray led 3-0 at half-time before being pegged back to draw 3-3.

Osimhen watched from the bench as his new team dropped points for the first time this season before being subbed with a muscle strain at the break.

But with Galatasaray three points clear of second-placed Samsunspor after 10 league games, the results so far indicate Osimhen’s addition has been successful.

” He’s come from a part of Italy in the south which is passionate, which is very close culturally to Turkey, “says Garcia Gomez”. It has not been a big change.

Osimhen needs to know how long he’ll experience Turkish love at Galatasaray.

There are rumors of a break clause in his loan from Galatasaray that would allow him to move in January, as well as a 130 million euro release clause at Napoli.

He continues to be linked with several major European clubs, including Tottenham, Galatasaray’s next opponents in the Europa League on Thursday. This might give Osimhen a window into his early Christmas shopping spree.

According to Bayazit, it is also a question of finances and squad balance for Galatasaray.

When asked if Galatasaray will try to keep the striker on loan beyond his loan, he replies, “If I were an accountant, I would say, “don’t do it.”

He suggests Napoli “will want 50m euros bare minimum” as a transfer fee. Galatasaray’s record signing is midfielder Gabriel Sara from Norwich last summer for 18m euros.

Bayazit also raises the Turkish football broadcaster’s rights. For $ 188 million per season, Bein Media and them struck a new deal in the summer. Before 2019-20, the Super Lig had a $500m yearly deal, but fluctuations in the Turkish lira saw the contract renegotiated.

“Galatasaray have Mauro Icardi, so they should spend that money on a different position to centre forward”, adds Bayazit. They have great strikers but no star wingers, according to one analyst who said “it was a really surprising move.”

Because there wasn’t a star winger, Osimhen was highly critical of the fans. They are now happy, but as a puzzle piece fitting in, it doesn’t make sense. “

Unsurprisingly, Garcia Gomez kept his cards close to his chest when asked about Osimhen’s future.