Lookman doesn’t need to play full 90 mins — Simeone

Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has declared that the LaLiga giants enjoy the services of Nigeria international, Ademola Lookman, since his arrival and does not need to play full match for his output to be appreciated.

Lookman joined Atletico from Atalanta in January and made a strong first impression in Spain, scoring nine goals and providing four assists during the second half of last season.

His ability to carry the ball, attack defenders and create something from difficult positions quickly gave the Argentine tactician another option in the final third.

“He is a footballer who has a profile that we don’t have much. He is the most decisive in one-on-one situations on the edge of the box.

ALSO READ: AFCON qualifiers: Lookman targets six points against Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau

“We need him, whether it’s 60, 70 minutes or whatever he plays. He has done us very well since he arrived and although his start to the season is not what he would have wanted, we need him,” Simeone was quoted as saying by Fichajes.

The start to his first full season has been less productive, as Lookman was used in different attacking roles, including as a centre-forward in Atletico’s opening two league matches, before moving back towards the left against Sevilla.

That change brought his first goal of the campaign in a 3-1 victory on August 29.

Lookman has remained involved since then, starting five of Atletico’s first seven LaLiga matches and making seven appearances in the competition overall, while the former African Footballer of the Year has only one goal in the kitty.

Meanwhile, Lookman is currently in the Super Eagles’ camp ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, describing both matches as difficult while insisting that the squad wants to win both.