Victor Osimhen’s injury record named as key reason top European clubs run from him

Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen’s persistent injury troubles are increasingly being flagged as a key reason why top European clubs are reluctant to pursue big-money transfers for the Nigerian striker, sparking fresh doubts over his long-term career prospects.

The discussion has intensified in the wake of Galatasaray’s crushing Champions League defeat to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, a match Osimhen missed due to a minor strain picked up during the WCQ playoff final against DR Congo. 

While some fans laid blame on the club’s squad planning for the loss, many pointed directly to Osimhen’s injury record as a serious underlying issue.

One supporter sharply criticised the club’s leadership, saying, “The management should be held accountable. What kind of staff planning is this? Osimhen misses almost a third of every season, that’s why the biggest clubs hesitate to sign him. You can’t ignore this reality.” 

“If you buy Osimhen while Icardi is still on the team but structure everything around Osimhen, how do you not prepare for the inevitable times when he’s sidelined? They couldn’t even set up a proper game plan to feed the ball to Icardi.”

Fans have called for greater realism in expectations around the player’s availability, stating the real challenge for the Lions and big clubs is the player’s health. 

“The real challenge is Osimhen’s frequent absences, he misses one-third of the season at least. That’s the reason why the big teams keep their distance. When you build your squad around him without credible alternatives, your entire game breaks down without him on the pitch. The glaring squad weaknesses and tactical errors are purely down to mismanagement and poor coaching decisions.”

As the debate around Osimhen’s future continues, it highlights the difficult balance between his undeniable talent and the risks his injury-prone nature poses for elite clubs aiming for sustained success.