Victor Osimhen has always been a striker of rare qualities. He is explosive, relentless, and devastating in front of goal. But this season at Galatasaray, under the guidance of Okan Buruk, he has reached a level of efficiency never seen before in his career.
With 28 goals in 33 appearances, the Nigerian forward is on track for his most productive campaign yet. But beyond the raw numbers, a deeper look at his goal-per-minute ratio reveals something even more remarkable: this is the most efficient season of his career.
Osimhen is averaging a goal every 106.07 minutes, a sharp improvement over his previous best of 113.23 minutes during the 2022/2023 season when he struck 31 times in 39 matches for Napoli.
As elite clubs circle ahead of the summer transfer window, it is clear that under Buruk, the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year has become the most lethal version of himself.
A system built for Osimhen
At Napoli, Osimhen was often asked to battle against deep defensive lines with limited space to exploit. While he thrived in moments of chaos, the system sometimes stifled his natural strengths, speed, movement, and instinctive finishing.
At Galatasaray, Buruk has tailored the team to maximize Osimhen’s attributes. The 4-2-3-1 system ensures he is not isolated, with Dries Mertens and Baris Alper Yilmaz constantly supplying him with service.
The wingers, particularly Yunus Akgün, stretch defenses, allowing Osimhen to make his trademark runs into space.
The result? A striker who is not only scoring more but doing so with clinical efficiency.
A sharper, more refined striker
Beyond tactics, Osimhen’s evolution this season has been technical. At Napoli, his relentless energy sometimes led to rushed finishes. At Galatasaray, there is a noticeable calmness in his movements.
His shot selection has improved, as evidenced by his ability to score in a variety of ways, poacher’s goals, headers, and long-range efforts. His link-up play has also taken a step forward, with five assists this season proving that he is not just a finisher but a creator as well.
Buruk has emphasized decision-making in the final third, encouraging Osimhen to take smarter touches rather than always opting for the most aggressive route to goal.
The result is a more complete forward, one who is not just a battering ram but an assassin in the penalty area.
Victor Osimhen’s confidence rebuilt
Perhaps the most significant transformation has been mental. Osimhen arrived at Galatasaray with a point to prove after a turbulent summer in which he was frozen out at Napoli. The move to Turkey was seen as a step down. Instead, it has become the platform for his greatest season yet.
Victor Osimhen in the last 7 games:
⚽⚽ vs. Kasımpaşa
⚽ vs. Alanyaspor
⚽⚽⚽ vs. Antalyaspor
⚽⚽ vs. Rwanda
⚽ vs. Zimbabwe
❌ vs. Beşiktaş
⚽⚽ vs. Fenerbahçe 🆕Blazing form 🔥✌🏽 pic.twitter.com/fu8hfpXuiL
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) April 2, 2025
Buruk has placed full trust in Osimhen, making him the focal point of the attack. The confidence is evident in the way he carries himself, chest out, head high, playing with the swagger of a man who knows he belongs among Europe’s elite.
With Galatasaray on course for a domestic double and Osimhen leading the Turkish Super Lig Golden Boot race, the season is far from over. If his current trajectory holds, he could surpass his previous best goal tally.
