‘I have reservations about Lookman’s competitive mentality, ability to perform under pressure:’ Why AS Roma rejected Atalanta hero in 2022

AS Roma of Italy scout, José Fontes has revealed why the Serie A club did not sign Ademola Lookman because he felt the Atalanta of Italy star could not perform under pressure.

Fontes said he came to that conclusion after watching the Super Eagle during the Leicester Vs Roma Conference League match in April 2022.

Lookman played for 84 minutes in the first leg that ended 1-1 at the King Power Stadium in Leicester and was subbed off after 45 minutes in the second half at the Olimpico di Roma where the Foxes fell 1-0.

‘A player with good technical skills, strong in one-on-one, with attacking actions that are often not very incisive. He lacks strength in duels, has very quick acceleration and good top speed.

‘Average positional sense, poor anticipation after evaluating and making decisions after receiving the ball. Defensively, it’s elementary in terms of understanding the game.” Few qualities, many defects according to Fontes.

The conclusion of the report is a total rejection: “Lookman is a player about whom I have reservations about his competitive mentality, his confidence and his ability to perform under pressure.

‘He is very inconsistent in his performances and has had numerous opportunities at good clubs with good managers, where he has failed to impose himself as a starter. There are better solutions available to us and I wouldn’t recommend hiring him.”

Lookman was the cynosure of all eyes in the final of the Europa League, capping an incredible performance with an incredible hat-trick.

‘For obvious reasons and for his all-round enthusiasm and energy. It was a perfect match,’ UEFA technical team wrote after the Europa League final between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman’s performance against Leverkusen was just the icing on the cake of an extraordinary year: 16 goals and nine assists in all competitions.

A hat-trick against the Germans, two goals against AC Milan and goals against Napoli and Marseille for the player “unable to perform under pressure”.