Hasselbaink questions whether Osimhen can thrive in the Premier League

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has warned Tottenham and Manchester United that Victor Osimhen may struggle to reproduce his best form in the Premier League.

The Nigeria international is regarded as one of Europe’s leading centre-forwards after impressive spells with Napoli and Galatasaray. However, Hasselbaink believes England’s top division would present a significantly more demanding challenge than Serie A or La Liga.

Speaking about the striker, the former Netherlands international said he remained unconvinced that Barcelona-linked Osimhen possessed all the qualities required to dominate in the Premier League.

Hasselbaink’s assessment comes as Tottenham look to strengthen their attack under manager Roberto De Zerbi. Manchester United have also been repeatedly linked with Osimhen, who is one of the most sought-after forwards in European football.

The former Chelsea forward believes Osimhen’s main difficulty would be adapting to the pace and physical intensity of the Premier League. He also suggested the striker would have to cope with a shortage of clear scoring opportunities compared with those he enjoyed during successful periods in Italy and Turkey.

Premier League defenders, in Hasselbaink’s view, would offer Osimhen fewer chances in front of goal, while the speed of the competition could place greater demands on his movement, strength and decision-making.

Perhaps the most surprising part of Hasselbaink’s assessment was his praise for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson. Jackson has faced criticism for missed chances during his time at Stamford Bridge, but Hasselbaink believes the Senegal international possesses attributes that are especially valuable in the modern Premier League.

He explained:

Despite Hasselbaink’s reservations, Osimhen remains high on the wish lists of many of Europe’s wealthiest clubs. Tottenham have already opened talks with Galatasaray after making an initial offer believed to be worth between £50m and £55m.

Galatasaray are understood to be seeking a considerably higher fee for the Nigerian forward. The Turkish champions are therefore holding firm in their valuation as interest in Osimhen continues to grow.

Reports have also indicated that De Zerbi regards Osimhen as the ideal central striker for his attacking system. The manager is said to have followed the forward’s development during their time in Serie A, adding a personal dimension to Tottenham’s interest.

Osimhen has reportedly welcomed the prospect of moving to England. Any deal, however, would require Tottenham to resolve a substantial wage issue.

The striker’s current salary in Turkey would make him the highest-paid player at the club if he moved to Tottenham. That financial consideration, alongside Galatasaray’s demands for a larger transfer fee, could prove a significant obstacle even if the Premier League side decide to pursue the deal further.

For now, Osimhen’s reputation remains strong across Europe after his performances for Napoli and Galatasaray. Hasselbaink’s comments nevertheless raise questions about whether that success would translate directly to English football, particularly in a league where forwards face faster games, more physical contests and fewer straightforward opportunities.