Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has expressed his concerns about Victor Osimhen, noting that while he admires the Nigerian striker’s talent, he dislikes his tendency to dive excessively during matches.
Osimhen, who recently joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Napoli, will be competing directly against Mourinho’s team in the Turkish Super Lig this season. Mourinho, having faced Osimhen during his time as Roma’s manager in Italy, spoke about their special relationship and acknowledged Osimhen as one of Africa’s top players.
The Portuguese coach admitted that if he were at a club with the financial capacity, he would have pursued Osimhen, stating, “If I were at a club that could give €70-75 million, I would take him.”
However, Mourinho criticized Osimhen’s frequent diving, saying, “He throws himself down a lot,” which is a habit he has addressed directly with the 25-year-old striker.
In a conversation with HT Spor, Mourinho recalled telling Osimhen, “You are one of the best players in Africa along with Salah. There were legends like Drogba, Eto’o, and Weah before. You can’t be diving.”
Despite his criticism, Mourinho maintains a positive relationship with Osimhen, describing their interactions as fine after just 10 minutes of play.