Onuachu and Nunez: The Osimhen-Icardi dilemma Trabzonspor must avoid

Trabzonspor could have one of the most formidable striking partnerships in the Turkish Süper Lig next season, but managing Paul Onuachu and Darwin Nunez could be one of Fatih Tekke’s biggest challenges, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Turkish club are close to completing a deal for Nunez, who would join a side where Onuachu has already established himself as a key attacking figure.

Darwin Nunez is reportedly set to reunite with his former Liverpool teammate Mo Salah at Trabzonspor 🤝 pic.twitter.com/nAO6gnBhFh

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 10, 2026

Onuachu enjoyed an outstanding campaign last season, scoring 22 goals and providing two assists in 30 league appearances as Trabzonspor secured European football.

The arrival of Nunez would give Tekke another proven striker capable of leading the line, but it would also create a selection dilemma that Galatasaray experienced with Victor Osimhen and Mauro Icardi.

Why Osimhen and Icardi were difficult to manage

Galatasaray’s decision to bring Osimhen to Istanbul while already having Icardi on their books gave them extraordinary attacking quality. On paper, the combination appeared almost impossible to contain by opponents.

In reality, finding enough minutes for two established centre-forwards was far more complicated.

Osimhen’s physical profile, movement and pressing made him particularly effective as the focal point of the attack, while Icardi offered a different set of qualities as a penalty-box finisher and experienced goalscorer.

The problem was not a lack of quality. It was finding the right balance, which is precisely the warning Trabzonspor must heed if Nunez arrives.

Onuachu and Nunez offer different solutions

The similarities between the two situations should not obscure the important difference that Onuachu and Nunez are not identical players.

Onuachu’s biggest strength is his physical presence. At his best, the Nigerian gives Trabzonspor an obvious target inside the box, providing an aerial threat and allowing the team to play more directly when necessary.

His 22-goal league campaign demonstrated just how effective that approach can be.

Nunez, meanwhile, offers greater mobility. The Uruguayan can stretch defensive lines, attack space behind defenders and contribute to a more aggressive pressing game.

That gives Tekke two different attacking profiles to work with, but it also means that putting both strikers on the pitch will not automatically produce the best results.

The temptation to play both

The obvious temptation will be to find a system that accommodates both strikers.

After all, there is little point signing a player of Nunez’s calibre if he spends most of the season on the bench, while Onuachu’s previous campaign makes it difficult to justify reducing his role significantly.

Yet forcing two natural No.9s into the same starting XI could create problems elsewhere.

A two-striker system can work when the forwards complement each other, but it can become counterproductive if one player begins drifting into the other’s preferred spaces or if the midfield becomes overloaded with defensive responsibilities.

Fatih Tekke’s biggest challenge

For Tekke, the task will not simply be deciding who starts. It will be deciding when each striker starts, when they play together and when one is better suited to the demands of a particular opponent.

Against a team defending deep, Onuachu’s aerial presence could be decisive.

Against an opponent playing with a high defensive line, Nunez’s pace and movement are more valuable.

There will also be matches where using both makes sense, particularly if Trabzonspor need to chase a result. The key will be ensuring that rotation does not become a source of frustration.

Both players are established internationals and will expect significant playing time. Managing their minutes, expectations and roles could therefore be just as important as the tactical setup itself.

Trabzonspor can learn from Galatasaray

Galatasaray showed that having two elite forwards does not automatically mean both will flourish simultaneously. Circumstances, injuries, tactical preferences and individual form can all influence how such a partnership develops.

Trabzonspor now have the opportunity to learn from that experience rather than repeat it. If Tekke can establish clear roles for Onuachu and Nunez, the competition could become a major strength, particularly with several games to play in a long and demanding campaign.

Instead of having one striker compete against the other, Trabzonspor could use their contrasting qualities to give opponents different problems throughout the season.