Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has urged Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman not to lose confidence over his recent struggles, insisting that the attacker remains an important part of his plans despite his dip in form.
Simeone acknowledged that the Super Eagles star had yet to reproduce the performances that made him an instant success at the Spanish club but expressed confidence that he would eventually rediscover his scoring touch.
The Argentine tactician spoke on Monday during a press conference ahead of Atletico Madrid’s UEFA Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich.
Lookman moved to Atletico Madrid from Italian side Atalanta during the winter transfer window and quickly established himself as an attacking threat after joining the Spanish outfit.
The Nigerian international scored nine goals and provided four assists in 24 appearances across all competitions during the second half of last season.
However, the former African Footballer of the Year has struggled to maintain that level this campaign, managing just two goals in 14 appearances.
Reacting to concerns over the forward’s performances, Simeone cited the experiences of teammates Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, noting that both players had endured difficult spells before returning to form.
According to comments reported by Futbol Fantasy, the Atletico manager said Lookman’s slow start to the season should not be mistaken for a lack of commitment or happiness at the club.
“The truth is, I think his season didn’t start the way he would have liked, but Julian also went through a difficult time last year and then came out on top, and Griezmann, remember, when he wasn’t scoring goals, he came back.”
Simeone maintained that Lookman possessed qualities that made him valuable to the team, particularly his ability to take on defenders in attacking areas.
“We believe, as I’ve been saying in almost every press conference about Lookman, in the importance he has for us, because he’s one of the players who has the most one-on-one duels in the final third, in the closing stages, where, obviously, a goal can come. And I have a lot of faith in him,” he said.
The Atletico manager further cautioned the Nigerian against allowing his current difficulties to affect his mentality, describing periods of poor form as an inevitable part of a footballer’s career.
He urged Lookman to remain committed to his work, expressing hope that improved performances would eventually translate into more goals and assists.
“I don’t want him to get frustrated because he’s not going through his best moment, because it’s part of life, part of the game, part of football, and there are moments you have to go through until one day he starts scoring a goal, starts playing better, starts assisting, starts feeling, obviously, more alive, as players obviously feel,” Simeone added.
Meanwhile, Lookman has registered two goal contributions in the Champions League this season but is yet to secure a starting position in the competition.
The Nigerian forward has so far featured from the bench against Liverpool, Manchester United and Stuttgart as he continues to compete for a regular place in Simeone’s starting line-up.
