Former Fulham caretaker manager, Stuart Gray, has praised Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman for the work he put into himself to get to where is today, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 26-year-old Atalanta man spent the 2020/2021 season on loan with Fulham from Bundesliga side, RB Leipzig, scoring five goals in thirty-five games before heading on another loan the following season, this time, to Leicester City.
The former Charlton Athletic man found it hard to nail down a starting berth in most of the clubs he played for, making him a well-travelled and experienced player, despite only being 26.
He joined Atalanta at the start of the 2022 season and has scored 24 goals alongside recording 12 assists in 65 games for Gian-Piero Gasperini's men.
Despite Lookman's incredible output for Atalanta, Fulham's Stuart Gray is left unperturbed by his brilliance, as he knew the London-born man would always make it to the top due to his hard work.
“He’s one of the most dedicated professionals I’ve seen who just wanted to work hours and hours on the training pitch. He was first in the building and would leave when the staff did. The biggest thing was trying to educate him that Saturday when we played was most important. We had to drag him off the training ground, He would stay back for hours working on technical work, taking free-kicks, crossing or shooting,” Marco Silva's assistant told The Scottish Sun.
Lookman's Atalanta will play against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool at Anfield this evening in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash. Stuart was proud of the versatile forward's growth and how he's done well outside of England.
“He’s become physically stronger. His brain seems to be working quicker, his first touch, his receiving of the ball. His confidence as well, the boy can take anyone on and think he’s going to beat them. He’s like a golfer with the amount of hours they put in. Huge credit to him that he’s not just stayed in this country. He’s got off his backside and gone abroad. He’s only 26, he’s not even peaked,” Stuart added.
Lookman has scored eight goals and recorded four assists in twenty-four Serie A games this season, helping Atalanta to 6th place on the league table.
N.B: We want to know your thoughts. Do you think Atalanta can defeat Liverpool? Let us know in the comments.
