Legendary coach Jose Mourinho has described Nigeria international striker, Victor Osimhen, a ‘fantastic player’ but not without saying that the newly-signed Galatasaray star must refrain from diving.
Known for his admiration for African players, the former Chelsea coach and now with Turkish champions, Fenerbahce, said he would have signed Osimhen if he were to have a reasonable transfer’s war chest.
“Osimhen is a fantastic player,” Mourinho reportedly told Fanatik as per FootItalia. “ If I were at a club that could spend 70-75 million euros, I would buy him.”
Mourinho then addressed a concern about the Nigerian striker’s on-field behaviour: “I don’t have problems with Victor, I have a good relationship with him, even though he goes down a lot.
“I told Osimhen: ‘Look, you’re one of the best players in Africa along with Salah. Before there were Drogba, Eto’o, Weah. You can’t go down so much.”
While Osimhen’s talent is never being in doubt, another Chelsea player and coach, Italian Gianfranco Zola has equally faulted the conduct of the Nigerian ace striker.
Zola, a former Napoli player, reportedly compared the transfer sagas involving Paulo Dybala and Osimhen this summer.
The Argentinean decided to stay at Roma despite a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, while Osimhen pushed to leave Napoli and eventually joined Galatasaray on loan after talks with Al-Ahli, Chelsea, and PSG collapsed.
“One is a nice story, but the other is not so good,” Zola reportedly told interview with Il Corriere dello Sport. “Dybala listened to his heart, not his wallet.
“I don’t want to judge anyone; everyone can make their best decisions. Indeed, Paulo’s history fills the hearts of those who love football,” he added.
Osimhen is expected to make his debut this weekend for his new club when Galatasaray host Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig match.
Source: The nation
