Jose Mourinho has admitted to a “problem” he has with Victor Osimhen after seeing the Napoli loanee join Fenerbahce’s arch-rivals Galatasaray.

Mourinho’s relationship with Osimhen goes back to their encounters in Italy’s Serie A, where the Portuguese was managing AS Roma, and Osimhen was a standout for Napoli. They will once again cross paths as the Nigerian chose to shift base to Turkey in the summer after seeing his proposed moves to Chelsea and Al-Ahli fall through.

In a candid reflection, Mourinho acknowledged Osimhen’s abilities but highlighted a particular behaviour he finds frustrating when facing him on the pitch.

“He’s an incredible talent. Galatasaray have secured a fantastic player,” Mourinho said in an interview with HT Spor.

“I’ve never had an issue with him personally, but there’s one thing about him that irritates me when he’s on the opposing team. During one of our Roma-Napoli encounters, I took the time to speak with him. I told him, ‘You and Salah are currently the best African players, following in the footsteps of legends like Drogba, Eto’o, and Weah. But you cannot continue to play the way you do.’ He tends to go down too easily, and that’s where my problem lies.”

Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray could be short-lived, as reports suggest that his loan deal includes a release clause that can be activated by top European clubs as early as the January transfer window. This means that the Nigerian could head to English shores from Turkey in just a few months.

Osimhen is expected to make his debut on September 14 when Galatasaray face Rizespor in a Turkish Super Lig fixture. Just a week later the striker could come up against Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.

Goal