Former Turkey international Erman Toroğlu on Wednesday in Istanbul, Turkey, launched a sharp critique of Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk over the team’s recent drop in performance following the injury-induced absence of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, highlighting growing concerns about squad dependency and tactical balance.

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Erman Toroğlu, a prominent football pundit and former referee, questioned Okan Buruk’s management of the squad after Galatasaray struggled to maintain consistency in domestic fixtures without Victor Osimhen, who has been sidelined since suffering an arm injury during a UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield in March.

The injury, which occurred during the second leg of the European tie, has kept Victor Osimhen out at a critical stage of the season, with Galatasaray failing to sustain their earlier momentum in his absence.

In the period without the Nigerian forward, Galatasaray recorded mixed results, including a 2-1 defeat to Trabzonspor, a 3-1 victory over Göztepe, and a 1-1 draw with Kocaelispor, a run that has intensified scrutiny of Okan Buruk’s tactical approach.

Describing the situation in strongly worded remarks reported by Turkish outlet Habersarikirmizi, Erman Toroğlu argued that Galatasaray’s system has become overly reliant on Victor Osimhen, suggesting that the head coach has failed to adequately manage the squad’s attacking structure.

“There was Icardi, there was Osimhen, there was Okan Buruk. Now Osimhen is absent, Okan Buruk is absent. It’s that straightforward,” Toroğlu said, in comments that have sparked debate among supporters.

He further added that responsibility for the team’s inconsistency lies with the coaching setup, insisting that elite squads should not be dependent on a single player.

The remarks have added pressure on Okan Buruk, who is already managing expectations in a tightly contested title race.

“If you are reliant on just one player in such a large squad, the responsibility lies with you. Okan Buruk failed to manage this team. Osimhen was the one directing you on the pitch,” Toroğlu stated.

Erman Toroğlu also raised concerns about the utilisation of Argentine forward Mauro Icardi, claiming inconsistent selection has affected the striker’s rhythm and overall contribution to the team’s performances.

Despite the criticism, there was a positive update for Galatasaray, with Victor Osimhen having resumed training and edging closer to a return to competitive action before the end of the month.

The Nigerian forward is expected to be available for selection in the upcoming fixture against Fenerbahçe, with indications that he could first feature in the squad for the match against Gençlerbirliği.

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His return is seen as a significant boost for Okan Buruk, as Galatasaray look to stabilise their form and regain momentum in the league title race following recent dropped points.