Victor Osimhen’s standing among football’s elite forwards has been publicly questioned by former Premier League great Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, reigniting debate over what truly defines a world-class striker in modern football.
The ex-Chelsea hitman delivered his verdict during a quick-fire assessment of today’s top attackers, where he was asked to identify which forwards he considers genuinely world-class.
Hasselbaink reserved that elite label for just four players:
Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, and Erling Haaland.
When pressed on Osimhen, however, the former Netherlands international was unequivocal. The Super Eagles striker was excluded from the world-class bracket, instead being grouped among a long list of high-profile forwards Hasselbaink believes fall just short of that status.
Osimhen Grouped with Other Elite—but Not “World-Class”—Forwards
Among the attackers Hasselbaink also declined to label world-class:
- Viktor Gyökeres
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Alexander Isak
- Hugo Ekitike
- Lautaro Martínez
- Julián Álvarez
- Marcus Thuram
- Omar Marmoush
- Gabriel Jesus
- Romelu Lukaku
- Richarlison
Despite their quality and strong club performances, Hasselbaink’s stance suggests that consistency at the very highest level, across multiple seasons and competitions, remains the benchmark for true elite status.
A Verdict That Carries Weight
Hasselbaink’s opinion holds significant credibility given his own pedigree as one of the Premier League’s most lethal finishers.
The former Chelsea and Leeds United striker won the Premier League Golden Boot twice, first with Leeds United in the 1998/99 season after scoring 18 goals in 36 appearances, and again with Chelsea in the 2000/01 campaign, finishing top scorer with 23 goals in 35 matches.
His achievements underline his authority when assessing elite attacking performance.
Debate Continues Around Osimhen’s Status
While many fans and analysts continue to regard Osimhen as one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards, especially given his impact in Serie A and on the international stage, Hasselbaink’s blunt assessment adds fresh fuel to the debate.
Ultimately, the discussion highlights the fine margins between being elite and being world-class, a distinction that continues to divide opinion across the footballing world.
