Osimhen clears air, dismisses controversy over Chelle’s transfer comments
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has moved to end speculation surrounding comments made by Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle regarding his absence from the national team’s upcoming friendly matches.
The forward spoke out after Chelle suggested that Osimhen would miss Nigeria’s games against Poland and Portugal in order to focus on matters related to his club future.
The coach’s remarks sparked immediate debate and renewed transfer speculation surrounding the Galatasaray star.
Osimhen says comments were misunderstood
Following Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the Unity Cup final, Chelle explained that Osimhen had been excused from international duty as he could be close to resolving a transfer situation.
The comments quickly generated reactions among supporters and media, prompting the striker to address the issue publicly.
Osimhen revealed that he spoke directly with Chelle and insisted the coach’s remarks had been misinterpreted.
“I just got off the phone with coach Eric Chelle regarding the comments about me in his recent interview,” Osimhen wrote on Instagram.
“Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our games, and never intended to create any controversy.”
Striker reaffirms support for national team
The former Napoli forward also expressed his appreciation for Chelle and reiterated his commitment to representing Nigeria.
“I appreciate the conversation, the opportunity to represent my country, and I look forward to continuing to work with him.”
“He is a great coach whom I respect a lot, and I kindly ask everyone to disregard the speculations surrounding this matter. Thank you for your consistent support.”
The statement appears to have eased concerns over any possible misunderstanding between the player and the national team management.
Transfer uncertainty remains
Despite Osimhen’s clarification, questions remain about his long-term future at Galatasaray.
The striker enjoyed another prolific season in Turkey, playing a key role as Galatasaray retained the Turkish Super Lig title.
His performances have continued to attract interest from several major European clubs, with reports linking him to potential moves across England and elsewhere in Europe.
For now, however, Osimhen has made it clear that there is no issue with Chelle and that supporters should ignore suggestions of controversy surrounding the coach’s comments.