Former Turkish referee Erman Toroglu has revealed his stance regarding who the better player is between Galatasaray strikers Victor Osimhen and Mauro Icardi, Footynaija.com reports.
Osimhen, on loan from Italian Serie A side Napoli, has enjoyed an amazing run of form since joining Galatasaray last summer. The Nigeria international took his season’s tally to 19 goals in all competitions with a headed brace against Caykur Rizespor on Monday.
On the other hand, Icardi, who joined the Turkish giants from Paris Saint-Germain back in 2022, has made a significant impact in Istanbul. The Argentine has made 87 appearances across all competitions for the Turkish champions, netting 61 goals and registering 20 assists in that time.
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However, with Icardi relegated to the sidelines for the rest of the season courtesy of a cruciate ligament injury he suffered in November last year, Osimhen has been Galatasaray’s go-to man in the final third, with the former Lille striker proving to be more than up to the task.
Despite Osimhen’s huge impact in the absence of the injured Icardi, Toroglu, who served as referee in Turkey and Europe from 1984-1993, believes that the vastly experienced Argentine possesses a more complete skill set than his less experienced Nigerian counterpart.
“Victor Osimhen won the Çaykur Rizespor match on his own,” the 76-year-old said in quotes revealed by habersarikirmizi.com.
“You can hit those balls in Turkey but they won’t let you do that much in Europe. I hope he does these things in Europe.
“Osimhen is a quick, fast man but he is not as good as Mauro Icardi . Icardi is a different fabric. Icardi is comfortable, a finisher and always gets himself lost.”
Regardless of Toroglu’s opinion, Osimhen is currently in scintillating form and Galatasaray will be hoping the 26-year-old Nigerian can retain his scoring touch on Thursday as the Super Lig leaders look to overturn a three-goal deficit against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League.
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