PSG

PSG-Linked Forward Issues Strong Response To Criticism From Current Coach

A change of scenery seems very likely in the summer.

Euan Burns

IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

Paris Saint-Germain came very close to adding Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman to the team in the summer of 2024, but he opted to stay with Atalanta.

Following public criticism from his coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, Lookman has released a statement suggesting that he could be on the move at the end of the season.

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Lookman stepped up to take a penalty during Atalanta's recent 3-1 home defeat against Club Brugge in the Champions League. He missed the penalty that would have given La Dea more hope of a fightback, with a goal making the aggregate scoreline 5-3 with most of the second half to play.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini
IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

The former Everton and Fulham players have a poor track record from the spot, and so does Atalanta as a team this season. After the match, Gasperini did not mince his words during the press conference.

Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen. He has a frankly terrible record even in training, he converts very few of them. Retegui and De Ketelaere were there, but Lookman in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring decided to take the ball and that was a gesture I did not appreciate at all.”

- Gian Piero Gasperini

Following this, Lookman chose to make a statement of his own on X, which suggests there has been a serious breakdown in the relationship.

Lookman wrote: “It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – Most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city. Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and the incredible fans of Bergamo. 

“In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here – the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first. This makes what happened last night even more hurtful.

“Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night’s result. During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team I took the responsibility in the moment to do so. Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power, which I’ll continue to do.”

Ademola Lookman, Atalanta
IMAGO / Buzzi

Depending on how Atalanta and Lookman deals with this situation going forward, PSG has an opportunity to sign the attacker for well below his market value this summer.

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Euan Burns
EUAN BURNS

Euan is an experienced soccer writer who has been featured by The Guardian, MARCA, 90min, Sempre Milan and many more similar publications. He secured a first-class degree in journalism at Liverpool John Moores University and his career has seen him primarily focus on European football, developing an in-depth knowledge of multiple clubs and leagues in the process.

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