Okan Buruk Comments on Mario Lemina's Future: "Talks Are Ongoing"

"Let's Call It Deja Vu"

Galatasaray beat Ümraniyespor 5-1 in their first pre-season friendly of the summer. Speaking after the match, head coach Okan Buruk noted that his side had also opened last season with a 5-2 win over the same opponent, saying "let's call it deja vu."

Buruk pointed out that this season's squad is younger than last year's at this stage, calling it an opportunity for the players. The head coach said upcoming matches would get progressively tougher as the squad takes shape with players returning from international duty. He added that Victor Osimhen and Roland Sallai weren't used in this match but would feature in the coming period.

"I'm Happy for the Young Players"

Beyond the result, Buruk expressed satisfaction at seeing the club's young players on the pitch. Noting that players as young as 17 featured in the match, the head coach said these names give hope for the future and that he was glad to have given them playing time.

"We Need to Adapt Lesley to Our System"

Addressing new signing Lesley Ugochukwu, Buruk said the player needs to be integrated into the team's style of play. He noted the next two matches would be tougher and would reveal more about the team's shape, adding that the goal is a system in which all midfielders play in harmony with one another. The head coach said he plans to blend these players carefully and use them all depending on the match.

Lemina's Future

Asked about Mario Lemina, whose future has been the subject of speculation, Buruk said the situation hasn't been resolved yet. The head coach gave a brief, direct response, confirming that discussions are still ongoing.

Lemina's Performance Last Season

The 32-year-old Gabonese midfielder made 27 appearances for Galatasaray in the Trendyol Süper Lig last season, playing 1681 minutes (starting 70% of matches). He scored 2 goals against an xG of 3.04 — suggesting his finishing fell short of expectation. He also contributed 1 assist and created 2 big chances. With an average rating of 6.91, he ranked in the top 12% of players in his position.

His form over the last six matches was notably consistent: Göztepe (7.7), Konyaspor (6.6), Gençlerbirliği (6.6), Fenerbahçe (7.4), Samsunspor (6.1), and Antalyaspor (7.4).

In the percentile rankings for the defensive midfield role, Lemina ranks #2 in expected goals (xG) and #2 in pass accuracy (91.3%) — showing he's both a reliable ball-player and a productive midfielder. His rankings in shots on target (#5), interceptions (#8), and total crosses (#10) point to a versatile profile.

He ranks more moderately in categories like key passes (#25) and successful dribbles (#25) — suggesting Lemina's profile leans less toward a classic creative playmaker and more toward a balanced, physically contributive defensive midfielder.

Conclusion

Buruk's comments show Galatasaray are prioritizing young players and testing squad depth in their pre-season preparations. While talks over Mario Lemina's future remain ongoing, his consistent performance last season stands as an important reference point for how the club's decision on the matter may unfold.