Atalanta head coach Raffaele Palladino has affirmed his full confidence in Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman. This comes despite the player’s slow start to the season. There has also been ongoing transfer speculation.
Ademola Lookman has scored just once in ten appearances across all competitions so far.
The 28-year-old had a busy summer. He sought a potential transfer away from the club. Giants like Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, and Atlético Madrid reportedly showed interest. However, no move ultimately materialised.
Lookman’s season has also been marked by a tense moment. This occurred under former Atalanta manager Ivan Juric.
During a 1-0 UEFA Champions League win against Marseille, Lookman was substituted late. This reportedly sparked a disagreement with former manager Juric.
Palladino has prioritised reconnecting with Lookman. He stated: “I have huge belief in Ademola. He’s a strong player who can make the difference.” This was reported by Tuttoatalanta.
Palladino further explained his approach. He said: “I called him personally while he was with the national team. I did this with all other players too. I need to speak to each individual and understand their feelings. He presented himself well upon his return. I will evaluate his role based on training and match performance. But he is definitely a player I am banking on.”
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