Atalanta’s new superhero themed offseason never made more sense than it did by procuring the services of RB Leipzig’s Ademola Lookman. You can just picture the Tony D’Amico and the big studio executive crossover…. who should we get for the next Marvel blockbuster? Ironman, no? Spiderman, nah? How about Lookman? We don’t know what his superpower is, but he certainly made us look deep into the depths of our soul before bringing him on for 12M euros!
All joking aside, Lookman is definitely an interesting addition to Atalanta’s depth in attack, and for only 12M euros its a low risk high reward opportunity for the Nigerian international. An RB Leipzig product, Lookman has been quite the journeyman in his young career, with loan spells most recently at Fulham and Leicester City. The Leicester City connection with Lee Congerton is interesting, and Lookman represents the first opportunity for Congerton to demonstrate his perceived ability to turn Premier League players into Serie A stars.
On the surface Lookman has put up decent numbers so far in his career. He had a storming start to his Leipzig tenure – netting five goals and three assists in under 700 minutes. But then he stalled out a bit during his travels in England. An uneven loan spell at Everton was then followed by slightly better campaigns at Fulham and Leicester. A six goal campaign over 1,400 minutes is a decent return for the 24 year old, and Atalanta is obviously hoping there’s some untapped potential still lingering that Premier League teams couldn’t find, and Leipzig didn’t have to patience to wait for.
Ultimately, Atalanta has the same dilemma that Leipzig had: balancing the depth chart. Lookman likely still slots behind Ruslan Malinovskyi, Jeremie Boga, and Mario Pasalic for attacking midfielder minutes. And that is without Gian Piero Gasperini opting to use either Teun Koopmeiners and Ederson further forward. So the big question remains, is it worth spending 12 million euros for a player that may have difficulties seeing the pitch? To be determined obviously, but he’ll have to start flashing immediately or he may just get more of the Aleksei Miranchuk treatment. Lookman however is certainly more of a firecracker than Lesha, and probably has the raw athleticism to possibly work his way into the starting lineup… But again, to be determined.
So with the question lingering on where Lookman gets his minutes, allow me to offer a random solution to this predicament. Everyone knows the challenge faced at wingback last year – nonexistent offensive industry once Gosens left, and to boot, the defense wasn’t too stellar either. Interestingly Lookman rates as one of the best forwards in terms of defensive actions (interceptions, blocks, tackles) completed last year. He certainly isn’t one who shies away from doing his defensive work, and the numbers back it up.
Now Malinovskyi and Boga are no slouches in their own right (and neither is Pasalic), but the wind-up energy that Lookman could potentially possess may mean he at least deserves a look at wingback. Tifosi all offseason have been clamoring for a new wingback, maybe Gasperini tries to recreate one? Improbable, but not ludicrous. Heck even Boga got minutes, uninspiring ones, at wing back last year.
All in all it is good to see the team coming together a bit more. All summer there have been back and forths about what is actually happening with some of our players that were on the way out. Lookman signing with La Dea confirms that we likely won’t see the likes of Ilicic, Lammers, and Miranchuk suiting up this summer. Even if Lookman’s position is up in the air, the squad almost has the finishing touches, even with the Palomino’s unfortunate suspension and Remo Freuler’s unknown status. But at least La Dea fans have an idea of what is going on in attack. One of used to be heavily left footed has shifted the pendulum and will boast a heavier right footed attack – maybe that’s all we need to turn the tides from last year? Let’s see, but in the meantime, welcome Ademola to Bergamo, and best of luck this year! As always, Forza Dea!!!
