Galatasaray have managed just one win in their last three Super Lig outings — a 3-1 victory over Göztepe — with their title charge disrupted by a 2-1 defeat to Trabzonspor and a 1-1 draw against Kocaelispor. The common thread running through that underwhelming run: the absence of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen has been sidelined since sustaining an arm injury during the second leg of Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Liverpool at Anfield in March. The Istanbul club’s struggles without their key forward have since drawn pointed criticism from former Turkish youth international Erman Toroğlu, who has placed the blame squarely at the feet of manager Okan Buruk.
Speaking to Habersarikirmizi, Toroğlu argued that Buruk failed in his fundamental responsibility to construct a team capable of performing independently of any single player. “There was Icardi, there was Osimhen, there was Okan Buruk. Now, Osimhen is gone, Okan Buruk is gone. It’s that simple,” Toroğlu said.
His assessment grew even more direct when addressing the structural issues within the squad. “If you’re stuck with just one player in such a large squad, it’s your fault. Okan Buruk couldn’t manage this team. Osimhen was managing you on the field,” he stated.
Toroğlu also took aim at Buruk’s handling of Argentine striker Mauro Icardi, suggesting that inconsistent playing time and a sense of marginalisation contributed to the forward’s poor form during the season. “You tried to bring Icardi on in the 89th minute because Osimhen was there, and you alienated him. You did this, you did that, but your team just didn’t perform,” he added.
The criticism reflects a broader concern about squad depth and tactical flexibility at Galatasaray, who entered the 2025-26 season as one of the favourites to retain the Super Lig title. Osimhen, on loan from Napoli, had been the focal point of Buruk’s attacking system throughout the campaign, with Galatasaray’s performances closely mirroring the Nigerian’s availability.
However, there are signs that the club’s fortunes may be about to shift. According to reports, Osimhen has returned to training and is closing in on a comeback before the end of April. Sources suggest the 26-year-old is targeting Galatasaray’s high-stakes derby against Fenerbahçe as his return fixture, and he could potentially feature in the squad for the preceding league match against Gençlerbirliği.
Galatasaray’s title credentials will be tested significantly over the coming weeks. The club cannot afford further dropped points if they are to hold off their domestic rivals, and Osimhen’s return — if confirmed — would represent a timely boost. The Fenerbahçe derby, in particular, carries enormous weight in the context of the title race and would serve as a defining moment for Buruk’s side in the second half of the season.
