Does Ademola Lookman Need To Improve Defensively?

Great comments regarding Ademola Lookman came from Coach Simeone after Atletico Madrid brushed Barcelona aside to qualify for the next stage of UEFA Champions League competition.

As highly gifted as England winger Eberechi Eze of Arsenal is, a lack of defensive rigidity and acumen is killing his game. He goes missing in key matches when his team his out of possession and under pressure, leading to them conceding needless goals that could have been avoided if all hands had been on the defensive deck.

Even the most lethal centre forward in world football at the moment contributes immensely to his team’s defensive efforts when he is not scoring. Speaking of Erlin Haaland, he is as delightful defending as he is in attacking, as he goes full throttle to help his team retrieve the ball and recover possession in deep areas in helping Manchester City regain the initiative.

Our own Victor Osihmen is a beast defensively; you only need to revisit his all-round performance at Afcon 2022 to find out.

Lookman is in the best club of his life!

With Simeone’s well-drilled, fully-developed, cutting-edge defensive orientation, working under him should mould Lookman, in the longrun, into a complete winger who can also function as a wingback like the Victor Moses of Chelsea and the Super Eagles of 2018 World Cup.

It’s a no-brainer, football, modern football is a collective effort. Players like Lookman will do well to develop “dynamic capabilities” that will serve them well to function in multiple formations.

“He’s growing, he is growing a lot defensively, which makes him even more important to the team,” the former Argentina international said after the game.

“Lookman is courageous and has taken more responsibilities for the team,” said Coach Simeone enthusiastically.

"He’s courageous and has taken more responsibilities of the team; we want more from him, and he has more in his tank.” Stated Simeone.

I agree. Lookman is courageous and willing to take more responsibilities. With the tiger in his tank, he will use his time with Simeone to become a well-rounded wonderfully woven winger of immense qualities and exceptional capabilities.