Galatasaray would face without Victor Osimhen, based largely on Mehmet Demirkol’s observations and related commentary.

If you want, I can also compare this with what others are saying (fans, other pundits).

Who is Mehmet Demirkol & What Has He Said

Mehmet Demirkol is a well-known Turkish sports commentator.

He’s been very complimentary of Osimhen’s performances for Galatasaray.

In particular, he called Osimhen “kontrol edilmesi imkansız” (“impossible to contain / control”), saying the forward is almost constantly moving, never in the same place, always causing trouble for defenders. (Aydınlık)

Demirkol also pointed out that losing Osimhen would create a gap that would be very hard to fill.

In another commentary he said “Osimhen’in yeri dolmaz” (“Osimhen’s place can’t be replaced”) (habersarikirmizi.com).

He has voiced concern about expensive offers from abroad (e.g. Al Hilal) that might lure him away. (Türkiye Gazetesi)

So Demirkol’s general stance is: Osimhen is not just a goalscorer but a driver of the team’s success; losing him would not just cost goals but impact many interconnected parts of Galatasaray’s play.

What Galatasaray Gains with Osimhen

To understand what they’d lose without him, it’s helpful to list what Osimhen brings:

1. Goal-scoring: He is Galatasaray’s top scorer domestically and across competitions.

1. In the 2024‑25 season, Osimhen scored 26 league goals, and 37 in all competitions, being crucial in securing the league title and Turkish Cup. (Wikipedia)

2. Physical presence and unpredictability: Demirkol and others note that Osimhen is difficult for defenders to handle: he moves, creates space, presses, is dynamic.

3. Demirkol’s phrase “he never stays in one place” captures part of this. (Aydınlık)

4. Leadership & morale: Osimhen is seen as someone who lifts the team.

5. There are reports he has led internal discussions, pushing teammates to improve after poor performances. (Footy Naija)

6. Match-winning ability: With Osimhen, Galatasaray has often turned tight games or deficits around, secured victories with late or clutch goals. When he’s absent, results tend to suffer.

7. E.g., the Rigas FS match ended 2‑2 after they had been two goals up, with the coach acknowledging that Osimhen’s absence meant fewer solutions in attack. (alimoshotoday.com)

Problems If Osimhen Were Absent

Given what he provides, here are what the issues would likely be if Galatasaray had to play regularly without Osimhen:

1. Goal deficit / fewer scoring options

   • Without Osimhen’s goals, Galatasaray would need to rely on others (Morata, Icardi, etc.), many of whom have had injuries or inconsistent form. (Türkiye Today)

   • Matches that Osimhen might have won could turn into draws or losses. The margin of error becomes much smaller.

2. Over-reliance on him exposes lack of depth

Several reports critique that aside from Osimhen, many players are not contributing consistently. Wingers not supplying enough assists; other forwards not ready to step up. For example, Barış Yılmaz and Roland Sallai have been criticised for low assist/tangible contributions. (Soccernet.ng)

1. • If Osimhen is not there, those gaps become glaring. Opponents can mark more compactly, knowing the threat is less.

2. Tactical rigidity & predictability

   • Much of the offensive build-up is tuned to feeding Osimhen. Without him, the team might struggle to adjust tactics. The team would need to play differently: rely less on direct play, more on mobility, combinations etc., which they may not be optimized for.

Also, defence suffers indirectly: when attack is blunted, more possession or pressure falls back on defence if opponents attack more aggressively.

1. Psychological / moral impact

   • Having a star like Osimhen gives confidence, not only to teammates but to fans and the whole club. Knowing he is there, the team believes they can win tight matches. Without him, that belief can erode.

   • Opposition teams may gain confidence, look to press Galatasaray more knowing that they are missing their main threat.

2. League / title implications

As per Turkish legend Tanju Çolak, without Osimhen, Galatasaray could be struggling to be even in fifth place in the Süper Lig. He believes Osimhen’s contributions are the difference between champion and mid‑upper table. (Pulse Sports Nigeria)

1. • Similarly, in big matches (derbies, games against title rivals), Osimhen’s presence demands extra attention from opponent defences, opening spaces for others. Without him, opposition marking can be more balanced.

2. Dependency problem

   • Over-relying on one player is risky if injuries or form dips. If Osimhen is absent due to injury (which has happened), Galatasaray’s fallback options have shown shortcomings. (THISDAYLIVE)

   • Also, opponents will target this, trying to shut him down when playing. If he isn’t there, they can focus more on shutting down midfield or wings.

Counterpoints / What Could Alleviate the Problem

While losing Osimhen would be a serious blow, there are mitigating possibilities:

• Squad rotation & backups: If players like Morata or Icardi are fit and in form or younger forwards step up, the damage can be lessened.

But reports show Icardi has been injured and Morata may leave. (Pulse Sports Nigeria)

• Tactical adjustments: Coach Okan Buruk could change the system: more possession‑based, distributing responsibilities more, having supporting forwards, using wide play etc.

• Improved team contributions: If wingers, midfielders increase their productivity (assists, creating chances) then the gap left by Osimhen might be partially filled.

Demirkol’s Main Warnings

From Demirkol:

• He emphasizes that Osimhen is “impossible to control,” meaning that he presents threats even when off the ball, constantly moving and creating problems.

• Losing that dynamic would make Galatasaray easier to defend against. (Aydınlık)

He believes that Osimhen’s place in the squad “can’t be replaced” — both in monetary value (offers from abroad) and in footballing importance. (habersarikirmizi.com)

He warns that if Osimhen leaves, Galatasaray will need to make significant plans, or risk slipping in domestic competition and having less leverage in Europe. (habersarikirmizi.com)

In summary:

Victor Osimhen is more than just a goalscorer for Galatasaray; he is central to their attacking identity, their capacity to win tight games, and to maintaining confidence within the squad and fanbase.

Mehmet Demirkol’s commentary underscores that losing him would expose weaknesses elsewhere: lack of depth, overdependence, tactical limitations, and psychological drop.

Without Osimhen, Galatasaray would likely struggle for consistency, especially in tough matches.

They could lose ground in the league, and matches where Osimhen’s impact might have swung things could instead become losses or draws.

To avoid severe drop-off, the coach and club would need to adjust strategy, find or develop alternatives, and ensure other players step up.