Atalanta coach Gian Pero Gasperini has revealed that Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has improved because he worked on his mentality, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lookman has been outstanding for Atalanta since he joined the club two years ago. The Nigerian forward was just coming off a decent campaign with Leicester City, when he registered eight goals and five assists in 51 appearances across all competitions for the Foxes.
But since Lookman moved to Bergamo, he has been in top form. Last season, the 26-year-old forward registered 15 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances.
This season, the former Everton man has continued with his brilliant form, but he has taken it a notch higher. Lookman has recorded 16 goals and nine assists in 44 appearances. He shone the most for Atalanta in the Europa League final, as he scored a hattrick in their 3-0 dismantling of German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Since joining Atalanta, it is clear that Lookman has improved significantly, not just by his numbers but also his quality of play. And of course, the credits would go to Gasperini.
However, the Italian tactician insists that Lookman has always had the talent, but he just needed to improve his mentality.
“Lookman is a top player today, but he wasn’t before,” Gasperini told La Gazzetta dello Sport, per Football Italia.
“He was strong, but tended to light up in flashes and at other times would disappear from the game. He was the same in training sessions.
“I worked with him using the patience of an artisan craftsman. What he did in the last few weeks feels like his maturity. He wants the ball, participates in the game, works with his teammates.”
If Lookman continues with his brilliant displays, he could just get a move to a bigger club by ne,t summer. Already, he has been linked with Premier League side West Ham.