Galatasaray’s Abdulkerim Bardakcı names Paul Onuachu among toughest Super Lig strikers

Galatasaray centre-back Abdulkerim Bardakcı has highlighted Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu as one of the most difficult strikers he has faced in the Turkish Super Lig.

The Nigeria international produced an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, scoring 22 goals and supplying two assists in 30 league appearances. His performances were central to Trabzonspor’s third-place finish and have also prompted speculation about his future at Papara Park.

Onuachu’s goalscoring form has reportedly attracted interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, with the striker now linked with a possible move away from Trabzonspor. For the time being, however, his impact in Turkey remains the focus after a season in which he established himself as one of the league’s most demanding forwards to defend against.

Bardakcı was asked which striker had caused him the greatest problems. While he referred to Marcao’s performance against him in a match involving Karagumruk, the Galatasaray defender also singled out Onuachu for the challenge he presented during the previous campaign.

“Marcao gave me a lot of trouble in the Karagumruk match,” Bardakcı said via Le Marca Sports. “Last year, Onuachu too.”

The answer places Onuachu among the opponents Bardakcı found hardest to contain, following a campaign in which the Nigerian consistently delivered in front of goal for Trabzonspor.

His 22 goals helped drive the club to third place in the Super Lig, while his two assists added to an impressive individual return across 30 appearances. That form has inevitably led to questions over whether he will remain at Papara Park, particularly with Saudi Arabian sides reportedly interested in securing his signature.

Onuachu will enter the 2026/27 season hoping to continue at the same level and build on the standards he set during the previous campaign. His next step remains the subject of speculation, but Bardakcı’s assessment underlines the impression he made on opposing defenders in the Turkish league.

For Galatasaray, Bardakcı’s comments also offer an indication of the qualities he remembers most clearly from the 2025/26 season. Alongside Marcao, Onuachu was identified as a forward capable of creating significant difficulties for a defender, despite the two players presenting different challenges.

The recognition comes after a season in which Onuachu’s production was matched by Trabzonspor’s strong league finish. His goals were a major factor in that third-place result, and his performances have now placed his future at the club under greater attention before the new campaign begins.