Can Salah and Onuachu stop Osimhen’s Galatasaray? 3 tactical reasons they can

Trabzonspor have made one of the most significant signings in Turkish football after completing the arrival of Mohamed Salah on a free transfer, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Egyptian superstar signed a two-year contract until the summer of 2028 after ending his Liverpool stay one year early, becoming the highest-paid player in the Süper Lig with a reported annual salary of €17 million.

Salah arrives at a club already packed with confidence. Trabzonspor finished third in the 2025-26 Süper Lig season, won the Turkish Cup, and secured a place in the UEFA Europa League play-offs. Much of that success came from Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu, who enjoyed the best season of his career.

The Al Hilal-linked Nigerian forward scored 22 league goals in 30 matches to finish as the league’s joint-top scorer alongside Eldor Shomurodov. He also became the first Trabzonspor player in 14 years to score in eight straight league games before scoring both goals in a 2-1 Turkish Cup final victory over Konyaspor on May 22.

With Salah joining the attack after receiving a hero’s welcome at Trabzon Airport and his official unveiling at Papara Park, Trabzonspor suddenly possess one of the most balanced strike partnerships in Europe. The combination of Salah’s speed, creativity and finishing with Onuachu’s size, strength and aerial ability could give coach Fatih Tekke several new tactical options as the club attempts to challenge Victor Osimhen’s Galatasaray for the 2026-27 Süper Lig title.

Here are the reasons Trabzonspor’s attack, led by Onuachu and Salah, could be unstoppable next term.

The perfect “big man, little man” partnership

Onuachu’s 2.01-metre frame makes him a difficult centre-forward to defend against on any given day. The Nigerian is outstanding at holding up the ball, winning aerial duels and occupying central defenders inside the penalty area.

That creates the ideal conditions for Salah. Opposing defenders will often need two centre-backs to deal with Onuachu whenever crosses enter the box. Every time that happens, space naturally opens around the edge of the penalty area and inside the right channel.

Those are the exact areas where Salah has built his reputation over the past decade. Cutting inside from the right onto his stronger left foot has produced hundreds of goals and assists throughout his career.

Instead of constantly facing two defenders, Salah is likely to receive more one-on-one situations because Onuachu’s physical presence demands so much attention. At the same time, defenders cannot leave Salah alone because of his pace and finishing ability. The result is a partnership where each player makes life easier for the other without even touching the ball.

Salah’s creativity gives Onuachu even better service

Although Salah is known mainly for scoring goals, he has also developed into one of football’s finest creators during his years at Liverpool.

His ability to deliver whipped crosses, slide accurate through balls into dangerous areas and pick out teammates under pressure makes him a complete attacking player rather than just a finisher.

That could significantly improve Onuachu’s goalscoring numbers. Many of the Nigerian’s goals already come from close-range finishes, headers and first-time strikes inside the six-yard box. With Salah supplying crosses from wide areas and quick passes after driving into the final third, Onuachu should receive more high-quality chances than he did last season.

The partnership also works in reverse. Whenever defenders crowd Salah, the Egyptian has the vision to find Onuachu with an early cross or a perfectly weighted pass into the penalty area. Having one of Europe’s best creators feeding one of Turkey’s most clinical finishers could turn Trabzonspor into the league’s most productive attack, a recipe for a title-winning team.

Their different styles create tactical problems for every opponent

Perhaps the biggest strength of the partnership is how different both players are. Salah depends on explosive acceleration, quick movement and technical quality. Onuachu relies on strength, aerial dominance and intelligent positioning inside the penalty area.

That contrast creates difficult decisions for every opposing coach. A defence that pushes high up the pitch to stop Salah’s runs behind the back line leaves more room for Onuachu to receive direct balls and overpower defenders. Long passes into the Nigerian immediately become dangerous because of his ability to win headers and hold off challenges.

On the other hand, teams that defend deep to stop Onuachu’s aerial threat give Salah extra space around the edge of the box. The Egyptian can then dribble, shoot from distance or create chances with his passing.

Trabzonspor can also change their attacking approach during matches without making substitutions. They can play direct football by targeting Onuachu with long balls or switch to quick passing moves built around Salah’s movement.

That tactical flexibility makes the club far less predictable than last season and could be the vital reason Trabzonspor emerge as genuine title contenders in a league where Osimhen’s Galatasaray remain the team to beat.