Ademola Lookman is a 28-year-old Nigerian second attacker who can also play as a winger. After a promising start at Charlton, where he won the LFE Apprentice of the Year award for the 2015–16 season, he moved to Everton, where he was highly rated by Ronald Koeman. However, he struggled for consistency and was never able to secure a regular starting place.
Everton loaned him to RB Leipzig, who later signed him permanently, but he again found it difficult to perform at the required level and was sent out on further loans to Fulham and Leicester City, where he continued to fight for minutes.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite these struggles at club level, he was a key player for England’s youth sides, winning the Under-20 World Cup in 2017. In 2022, he joined Atalanta, which proved to be the best move of his career. In Bergamo, he quickly became one of the team’s star players, making a huge impact with consistent performances.
He helped Atalanta qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League in the 2023/24 season, scoring a hat-trick in the final against an unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen. He also switched his international allegiance from England to Nigeria and has since delivered strong performances, winning the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
Embed from Getty ImagesPhysical Attributes
Lookman stands at 1.74m and has a strong, compact frame. Despite his strength, he is extremely quick and agile, using his pace to attack spaces, carry the ball forward, and dominate one-on-one situations. He is right-footed but often plays from the left, allowing him to cut inside to shoot or cross, while still occupying wide areas effectively, particularly in the attacking half, as shown by his heatmap from last season in Serie A.
However, because of the intensity and explosiveness of his game, he rarely completes a full match at maximum output, often operating closer to two-thirds capacity late on. This is something to consider given how physically demanding his style is.
In Possession
Lookman is a highly skilful and direct player. He likes to attack space at speed and stretch opposition defences vertically. When he receives the ball, his first instinct is to drive forward, using his pace and close control to advance play. His agility allows him to beat defenders with quick dribbles or sharp one-touch movements, often using his body to protect the ball and escape pressure.
He also drifts inside to operate almost as an attacking midfielder, helping to create chances through the middle. Last season, around 70% of his passes came in the final third, highlighting his involvement in dangerous areas. Whether cutting in from the wing or attacking centrally, he looks to shoot from distance or deliver crosses, recording a solid crossing rate of 31%. His mobility frequently disrupts defensive structures, dragging markers out of position and creating space for teammates.
Areas for Concern
One concern is his injury record. Although most injuries have been short-term, usually keeping him out for fewer than 20 days, he has still suffered several setbacks, including two more significant ones this season.
Another issue is his temperament. He has shown signs of being difficult to manage, particularly after Atalanta failed to sell him as promised during negotiations with Inter. This reportedly led to disagreements with the coach and missed matches at the start of the season.
Penalty-taking is also a weakness. Although he has taken only six in his career, he has missed two, giving him a 33.3% miss rate, which makes him a less reliable option in decisive moments.
Out of Possession
Without the ball, Lookman’s speed and agility remain major assets. He thrives in counter-attacking situations and is naturally vertical in his movements. He constantly looks to exploit gaps behind defenders, making intelligent runs even before teammates receive the ball.
He often anticipates passes early, positioning his body to attack space and receive on the move. Once the ball is played, he adjusts his run to create separation from his marker and stretch the defence. He also reads play well inside the box, recognising defensive movements and attacking blind spots, as shown in situations where he times late runs to get in front of defenders and finish chances.
Final Thoughts
Ademola Lookman is a very good and impactful player. He combines strength, pace and agility with intelligent movement and direct attacking intent. He stretches defences, carries the ball over long distances, and contributes both from wide areas and centrally. While his personality and off-field disputes have caused occasional issues, they do not take away from his ability on the pitch.
Now, after a move to Atlético Madrid, he joins a team that could suit him perfectly. Atlético often defend deep and play on the counter, relying on quick transitions and vertical attacks — exactly the type of football that benefits Lookman’s strengths. He is comfortable receiving the ball on the run or in tight spaces, and his intelligence allows him to drift inside to create, similar to Giuliano Simeone on the opposite flank.
The tactical fit between Lookman and Diego Simeone’s system could be very effective, giving Atlético another dangerous weapon for the remainder of the season as they prepare for their Champions League play-off and potential clashes with Tottenham or Liverpool, while continuing to chase the long-awaited European title.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Israel Schmidt de Azevedo
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