Nigeria legend Sunday Oliseh has explained why he considers Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman a great player.
The Atalanta forward has seen his stock rise over the past year, playing a key role in the Nerazzurri’s historic Europa League triumph and standing out as one of the top performers during the Super Eagles’ run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Thanks to his exceptional performances, he secured a Ballon d’Or nomination, ranking 14th, and is widely tipped to take over from Victor Osimhen as African Footballer of the Year next month.
In truth, Lookman has stolen the limelight from Osimhen, with the former Everton man ending the calendar year with six goals for the national team, double the number scored by the Galatasaray striker.
In an interview with News Central TV, Oliseh said: “Ademola Lookman is a great player. Why I find Lookman to be a great player is because I’m looking at the qualities, the characteristics that are needed to play the position Lookman plays and how he executes them.
“He doesn’t executes them at five out of ten, he doesn’t execute them at six out of ten, he executes most of them at 7.5, 8 out of ten, so that’s why I say he’s a great player.”
Lookman has been decisive for Atalanta, scoring a historic hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final, as well as braces against top Serie A clubs Juventus, AC Milan, and Napoli, all of which attest to his quality.
Oliseh expressed admiration for the Charlton Athletic academy product, highlighting the forward’s strengths.
“The man has got pace, he’s got tenacity, he’s unpredictable, he knows how to give width when his team is in possession, he’s always looking for penetration to go forward.
“His ball mastery is cool, he is nimble-footed, he sells dummies and his finishing. I am calling him great because he played at the Europa League final, he did not only just play, he was decisive in winning the Europa League final.
“That is not what a good player does, that’s what a great player does.”
Lookman took his tally for the season to nine from fifteen games in all competitions during the ongoing Serie A clash between Parma and Atalanta.
By Ifeanyi Emmanuel AllNigeia Succer
