AFCON 2025
Atalanta’s head coach Ivan Juric says he doesn’t have to beg Ademola Lookman to play for the team as he reveals he wants players who embody the shirt of the club.
The Croatian manager added that he only wants to work with players with great spirit, humility, work ethic, and a sense of belonging.
Ademola Lookman, the reigning African Footballer of the Year will miss his third consecutive game of the season after he was left out of the squad by the manager.
However, Ivan Juric says he has a good relationship with Ademola Lookman having spoken with him but it’s up to him to meet up with his standards to stand a chance of getting back to the team.
Lookman won’t be with us. It’s a truly unpleasant situation. After a meeting with him, I feel we need other things – spirit, fight, humility, work, guys who have to feel the shirt well. Our guys have to do that. I don’t want anything else.”
Speaking further, Juric clarified: “I want a different human level, a different sense of belonging. I have a good relationship with him, but I don’t have to ask him. Damn, we’re Atalanta, I don’t have to beg him. He needs strong, human values.”
Ademola Lookman, since his failed move to Inter Milan after handing in a transfer request, has been frozen out of the first team.
The 27-year-old forward went on strike in a bid to force a move to Inter Milan and accused the club of blocking the move despite having an agreement to leave.
Atalanta, on two occasions, rejected Inter Milan’s bid for the former Everton, Fulham and Leicester City forward as it fell below the valuation of the player.
Lookman returned to training before the start of the season but he’s yet to feature for La Dea this season.
