Ademola Lookman has enjoyed an almighty Italian renaissance over the past two years, and he’s showing no sign of slowing down any time soon.
By Luke Bissett
The Atalanta forward has been in scintillating form for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side – earning a nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. In fact, the Nigeria international is the only African player to be included on the 30-man shortlist for the men’s award. Lookman has certainly come a long way from his disappointing spells in the Premier League with Everton, Leicester, and Fulham.
The 26-year-old has completely revitalised his career in Bergamo, fulfilling the potential that he so often threatened to reach. Under the tutelage of Gasperini, Lookman has developed into one of Serie A’s standout attackers – recording 20+ goal involvements across all competitions in both of his two campaigns with the Italian side. The forward’s most in a single season prior to his switch to La Dea was 14 at Leicester City in 2021/22.
Lookman has exceeded all expectations at the Gewiss Stadium – making an enormous impression on the Atalanta side. And none more so than in last season’s Europa League final. The Nigerian struck all three goals as La Dea dismantled the all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen 3- 0 in Dublin’s showpiece. It made the 26-year-old the first ever player to score a hat-trick in the final of the competition, and the first to do so in a major European final since Jupp Heynckes for Mönchengladbach in the 1975 UEFA Cup.
The forward’s extraordinary display ended Xabi Alonso’s side’s 51-game unbeaten run and clinched Atalanta’s second major trophy in their 116-year history – six decades on from lifting the Coppa Italia in 1963. It also marked a pivotal moment for Lookman’s season, after he had already been on the losing side of two finals last term (AFCON with Nigeria and the Coppa Italia with La Dea).
The 26-year-old received gushing reviews for his performance in the final, however his exploits were something that Atalanta fans have become all-too accustomed with. Lookman has netted 33 goals for La Dea since his move in August 2022 – the most of any Atalanta player in that period. The fact that the forward had never previously reached double figures in a single season showcases just how impressively he has refined his end product.
Lookman possesses the ability to operate across the forward line, with his versatility proving to be an extremely useful asset for Gasperini’s side. The Nigerian is typically deployed as the left inside forward in Atalanta’s 3-4-2-1 or as one of the strikers within a 3-4-1-2, while his impact has been equally decisive regardless of his position. La Dea’s system prioritises verticality – something which unquestionably plays to Lookman’s strengths.
The Nigerian is ruthless in transition and has adopted a level of consistency to his game that was unforeseen during his stint in the Premier League. Since the start of last season, he has averaged 0.91 goal involvements per 90 in Serie A, with only teammate Gianluca Scamacca posting more across the division (1.11). Lookman, who was named Atalanta’s Player of the Season last term, poses a significant goal threat, and has developed a real knack for arriving into the penalty area to finish off Atalanta’s attacks.
There is little doubt that the 26-year-old’s confidence in the opposition box has grown exponentially. The 26-year-old often seeks to ghost into the width of the goal to boost his chances of hitting the target, before finishing instinctively. Indeed, he averaged 0.43 non-penalty xG (Expected Goals) per 90 last term, the fifth-most of any player in Serie A. He utilises sharp movements to lose his marker before oozing confidence in front of goal – although never too cool (as per his failed Panenka penalty against West Ham in the Premier League).
The forward, however, has many more strings to his bow than just being a brilliant poacher. He is a constant livewire within La Dea’s fluid attack, boasting the ability to drop deep or dart in behind with his devastating acceleration. He ranked inside the top 10 for progressive passes received in Serie A across 2023/24 (222). The Nigerian’s dynamism provides a constant outlet for his side as he is able to exploit gaps within the opposition back-line. It is these penetrative runs that then create space for his teammates.
But perhaps Lookman’s greatest strength is his exceptional close control. The electric attacker thrives when running at retreating defences and is more than adept at skipping past opponents to progress the ball up-field. The 26-year-old looks to float into the left-half space before driving inside via his trademark explosive bursts. Despite his raw speed, the forward is extremely agile and effective in tight spaces, while his ability to go down the line or cut inside makes him unpredictable. Among the 28 players to have attempted 80+ dribbles in Serie A since the start of last season, Lookman possesses the third highest success rate (52.4%).
The Nigerian was restored to La Dea’s starting line-up last weekend and wasted little time in kickstarting his season on his first league start. The forward notched a goal and an assist in a Player of the Match performance as Gasperini’s side defeated Fiorentina 3-2. And he will hope to continue in much the same vein when Atalanta host Arsenal on the opening matchday of the Champions League next time out.
From Premier League reject to Ballon d’Or nominee, you’d be certain Ademola Lookman will grasp the challenge of Europe’s premier competition with both hands.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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