Prominent Turkish football expert, Şansal Büyüka, believes Mauro Icardi’s absence is affecting Victor Osimhen despite the Nigeria international’s impressive goal-scoring form, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Speaking to Digitale YouTube channel, as reported by habersarikirmizi.com, the Turkish pundit praised Osimhen’s form since joining Galatasaray on a season loan from Napoli but insisted that he doesn’t see the club surpassing Fenerbahçe’s long-standing scoring record in a full Super Lig season.
Osimhen was enjoying the company of Icardi and Diers Martens, his former Napoli teammates with whom he had formed a lethal attacking force at Galatasaray before the Argentine suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in their 3-2 Europa League win over Tottenham Hotspur in November 2024.
In the absence of Icardi, the former Lille striker continues to thrive in Turkey, netting 13 goals and providing six assists in 17 appearances.
However, Büyüka believes the Super Eagles striker’s remarkable contribution alone won’t be enough to break the record set by Fenerbahçe.
Galatasaray have scored 51 goals so far this season and are still 52 goals away from equalling the Yellow Canaries’ record of 103 goals scored in the 1988/1989 season, the highest ever in the league’s history.
“I don’t think Galatasaray will surpass Fenerbahçe ‘s record of 103 goals. Galatasaray scores without Mauro Icardi, but his absence is felt. I think Icardi’s absence even affected Victor Osimhen. They played very well in the matches they played together,” Büyüka said.
Despite his concerns, Büyüka praised Galatasaray for not being overly reliant on Osimhen, acknowledging the contributions of other key players.
He highlighted Yunus Akgün, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Davinson Sanchez, and Abdülkerim Bardakcı as capable goal scorers who have stepped up when needed.
“When Victor Osimhen stops, there is no problem. Yunus Akgün or Barış Alper Yılmaz come on stage. Even Davinson Sanchez and Abdülkerim Bardakcı can come out and score goals.”
