Atalanta Coach Explains Why Ademola Lookman Has Not Played This Season: “I Don’t Have to Beg Him”
- Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has opened up on why Ademola Lookman has yet to play for the club this season
- Lookman tried to force a move away from Atalanta but was unsuccessful despite Inter Milan’s offer to sign him
- The Nigerian went on strike and has not played for the club this season before the international break with Nigeria
Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has opened up on why Ademola Lookman has yet to play for the club this season after his proposed move away was blocked.
Lookman made his intention to leave the club public, having been denied a move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer after winning the Europa League.
Source: Getty Images
Atalanta gave two conditions to sanction the move, the first of which was a €60 million transfer fee and not accepting an offer from an Italian club.
Inter Milan made concrete offers to Atalanta worth up to €45 million, including add-ons, but the Bergamo-based club took their stance and rejected them.
Lookman published a statement on social media confirming he had put in a transfer request after the club rejected what he considered a fair offer.
Atalanta refused to give in, and the Super Eagles player went on strike and only returned a few days to the end of the window, but still did not get his desired move.
According to The Boot Room, the club rejected proposed loan moves from Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur in the final days of the window.
Why has Lookman not played for Atalanta
Lookman gave up on leaving after the European window closed, despite the option of moving to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, where the windows were still open.
He reportedly agreed to play for the club in the final year of his contract and rejoined full training as head coach Ivan Juric had always wanted.
However, he has yet to play and is set to miss the clash against Lecce on Sunday, before which Juric explained why the Super Eagles star has yet to play.
“This is an unpleasant, difficult situation. As a coach, what I feel is that we need other things: of spirit, of struggle, of humility, of work, of feeling the shirt well,” he said as quoted by Sport Calcio.
Source: Getty Images
“On a human level, I want something else; I want a different membership, and we will go on like this. I don't have to beg him. With Lookman, I have a very good relationship, but I don’t have to beg him to play."
Juric added that Lookman has yet to display the work, humility and values that represent Atalanta on a human level, and hence, he has yet to feature, and will also not face Lecce.
Football writer Johnson Opeisa claimed that the scenario played out like he expected, and Atalanta have to deal with whatever attitude Lookman puts up after forcing him to stay.
“I don't know what Atalanta were expecting, trying to keep an unhappy player, with how their relationship with Lookman has unravelled over the past months,” he told Legit.ng.
“Secession was the best option for both parties as their relationship had deteriorated beyond repair. The player's intention was probably to keep things moving till he leaves in January or run down his contract.”
Atalanta makes a decision on Lookman
Legit.ng reported that Atalanta decided that Lookman will not face disciplinary actions following his attitude during the summer transfer window.
The striker joined the team training after returning from the international break with Nigeria, where he was lacklustre in the two matches.
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Source: Legit.ng
