Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr, did not hide his angst about the lack of lethal strikers in the Super Eagles during the team’s double-edge friendlies against Poland and Serbia, culminating in the extension of invitation to ‘old war horse’, Obafemi Martins, who was however knocked out by injury. The German-born tactician is tzargeting next year’s African Cup of Nations trophy aside from hoping to do well in the World Cup in Russia. With Nigerian –born striker, Ademola Lookman, showing consistency in the German Bundesliga, Kunle Adewale writes that another look in his direction will not be a bad idea
Though, Ademola Lookman once turned down an invitation to play for Nigeria, preferring the colours of the Three Lions of England, with Manager Gareth Southgate not looking in his direction for the World Cup, a further push from Nigeria could convince Lookman. Besides, the Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick, had severally indicated his resolve to bring good footballers with Nigerian discents’ from all over the globe to play for the national team.
Lookman was in super form as he spearheaded a RB Leipzig 4-1 demolition of Wolfsburg in the German Bundesliga last Saturday.
The former England under 21 ace, on loan from the English Premier League side, Everton, opened scorring in the 24th minute of the match after a timely assist from Jean-Kevin Augustin and was again on target in the 52nd minute.
In early 2017, Lookman turned down the opportunity to switch allegiance to Nigeria after an approach from Rohr but was selected in the England under-20 winning team to the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he scored three goals.
Former Nigerian international, Paul Okoku, said it would be a right decision in the right direction if the NFF should make a move to convince Lookman to don the colours of the Super Eagles.
When Everton poached Leicester’s head of recruitment, Steve Walsh, last summer, it was easy to understand the logic. The 53-year-old’s reputation had hit new heights after he unearthed Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante to inspire Leicester’s title triumph, and Everton were eager to apply the same expertise at Goodison Park.
Idrissa Gueye, Yannick Bolasie and Ashley Williams were the headline arrivals in Walsh’s first transfer window as Everton’s director of football. Lookman also arrived from Charlton as a little-known teenager with no Premier League experience. But at £10 million, he is the most expensive ever signing from League One.
The fee reflects just how highly he is regarded by Everton. A rapid rise into Charlton’s first team convinced Walsh that the speedy, skillful little forward could be the next breakout star from the lower leagues, and Ronald Koeman has already described him as an important part of his long-term vision for the club.
Like many of Walsh’s best signings, Lookman has had an unconventional route to the top. The jump from League One to Premier League has drawn parallels with Dele Alli’s move to Tottenham. But while Alli was on MK Dons’ books from the age of 11, Lookman did not set foot in a professional academy until he was 16.
When Everton poached Leicester’s head of recruitment, Steve Walsh, last summer, it was easy to understand the logic. The 53-year-old’s reputation had hit new heights after he unearthed Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante to inspire Leicester’s title triumph, and Everton were eager to apply the same expertise at Goodison Park.
Idrissa Gueye, Yannick Bolasie and Ashley Williams were the headline arrivals in Walsh’s first transfer window as Everton’s director of football. Lookman also arrived from Charlton as a little-known teenager with no Premier League experience. But at £10 million, he is the most expensive ever signing from League One.
The fee reflects just how highly he is regarded by Everton. A rapid rise into Charlton’s first team convinced Walsh that the speedy, skillful little forward could be the next breakout star from the lower leagues, and Ronald Koeman has already described him as an important part of his long-term vision for the club.
Like many of Walsh’s best signings, Lookman has had an unconventional route to the top. The jump from League One to Premier League has drawn parallels with Dele Alli’s move to Tottenham. But while Alli was on MK Dons’ books from the age of 11, Lookman did not set foot in a professional academy until he was 16.
Charlton U21 coach and former Wimbledon striker, Jason Euell remembers how Lookman came to the club’s attention. “It was right at the end of the U-16 year in 2014,” he tells Sky Sports. “The majority of scholarship decisions had already been made, but every year our U-16s play a game against Inner London, an FA side for the best players in south London.”
Charlton had received a tip-off about Lookman. The youngster was playing what Euell describes as “innocent Sunday football” for an amateur team called Waterloo FC in the London borough of Lambeth, but he produced a dazzling performance for the county side in front of Charlton’s watching coaching staff.
“He had no academy background at all,” says Euell. “Sometimes it can happen that a player slips through the net, but we were lucky to already have a relationship with the county and with Waterloo FC. We signed him on a scholarship straight away.”
Charlton had received a tip-off about Lookman. The youngster was playing what Euell describes as “innocent Sunday football” for an amateur team called Waterloo FC in the London borough of Lambeth, but he produced a dazzling performance for the county side in front of Charlton’s watching coaching staff.
“He had no academy background at all,” says Euell. “Sometimes it can happen that a player slips through the net, but we were lucky to already have a relationship with the county and with Waterloo FC. We signed him on a scholarship straight away.”
Lookman was drafted into Charlton’s U18 side during his first season at the club, scoring 17 goals in 29 appearances as they clinched both regional and national titles. It wasn’t long before Premier League clubs started to take note, but Charlton are experts in youth coaching and understood the need to be cautious with his development.
“We knew the talent he had but sometimes it’s about taking your time with someone like him,” says Euell. “He had been training once or twice a week but he had to get used to every day, professional football while doing his school work.”
Lookman was eventually promoted to Euell’s U21s, and in November 2015 he made his senior debut in a 1-0 defeat to MK Dons. Charlton’s season would end in relegation to League One, but a little over a year on from playing Sunday league football, Lookman took the step up in his stride, scoring five goals in 24 appearances and landing the 2015/16 Championship Apprentice of the Year award.
“We knew the talent he had but sometimes it’s about taking your time with someone like him,” says Euell. “He had been training once or twice a week but he had to get used to every day, professional football while doing his school work.”
Lookman was eventually promoted to Euell’s U21s, and in November 2015 he made his senior debut in a 1-0 defeat to MK Dons. Charlton’s season would end in relegation to League One, but a little over a year on from playing Sunday league football, Lookman took the step up in his stride, scoring five goals in 24 appearances and landing the 2015/16 Championship Apprentice of the Year award.
Lookman’s breakthrough was recognised with his first England U19 call-up last May. His outstanding attributes are his pace, dribbling and powerful finishing ability with both feet, but without any professional coaching before he joined Charlton, there were areas of his game which required extra attention.
“There were a lot of things he missed out on, and that was the learning and understanding of the game,” says Euell. “Young lads always say they can play football, but then comes the tactical side of it, the game understanding and the decision-making process.
“We didn’t want to stop Ademola from doing what he does because that’s what makes him special, it was just about getting him to understand when and where to do certain things. At every level, every game is different. He had to learn what was needed from him in and out of possession.”
Charlton rejected an offer from Crystal Palace in the summer, but Lookman never lost focus and added seven goals in 25 appearances for Charlton in the first-half of this season. Euell chuckles as he recalls having to drag him off the training pitch at Charlton’s Sparrow’s Lane headquarters. That determination to improve should serve him well at Everton.
“He’s a great character and everyone else at the training ground would say exactly the same thing,” says Euell. “He is just a humble boy who loves his football. He hates being injured and he always wants to do extra work. He just wants the ball at his feet and wants to improve. He’s one of those guys who absolutely hates losing.”
“There were a lot of things he missed out on, and that was the learning and understanding of the game,” says Euell. “Young lads always say they can play football, but then comes the tactical side of it, the game understanding and the decision-making process.
“We didn’t want to stop Ademola from doing what he does because that’s what makes him special, it was just about getting him to understand when and where to do certain things. At every level, every game is different. He had to learn what was needed from him in and out of possession.”
Charlton rejected an offer from Crystal Palace in the summer, but Lookman never lost focus and added seven goals in 25 appearances for Charlton in the first-half of this season. Euell chuckles as he recalls having to drag him off the training pitch at Charlton’s Sparrow’s Lane headquarters. That determination to improve should serve him well at Everton.
“He’s a great character and everyone else at the training ground would say exactly the same thing,” says Euell. “He is just a humble boy who loves his football. He hates being injured and he always wants to do extra work. He just wants the ball at his feet and wants to improve. He’s one of those guys who absolutely hates losing.”
Charlton manager Karl Robinson only coached Lookman for a few weeks having taken over at The Valley in November, but he described the teenager as an “incredible talent” and a “joy to work with” when the deal was confirmed. Lookman has made a positive impression on just about everyone who has known him, and he heads to Everton hoping for more of the same.
“He called me up to say goodbye,” says Euell. “I said: ‘Goodbye? It’s only a see you later, you’re only going up north!’ We had a nice chat. I gave him a bit of advice and wished him well.” Lookman is still learning, but he has the talent and he has the temperament too. In his new Merseyside surroundings, he might just become Walsh’s latest success story.
Born as Ademola Olajade Lookman on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, London, to Nigerian parents, he attended St. Thomas the Apostle College in Peckham where he achieved three As and five As at GCSE.
Lookman signed for Everton on January 5,2017 for a fee of £7.5m rising to £11m on a four-and-a-half year contract and made his debut for the club 10 days later, scoring on his debut.
He received his first international call up on May 16, 2016 being named in the England U19 squad for a double header against Mexico. He was subsequently named in the England squad for the European U19 Championships the same summer.
“He called me up to say goodbye,” says Euell. “I said: ‘Goodbye? It’s only a see you later, you’re only going up north!’ We had a nice chat. I gave him a bit of advice and wished him well.” Lookman is still learning, but he has the talent and he has the temperament too. In his new Merseyside surroundings, he might just become Walsh’s latest success story.
Born as Ademola Olajade Lookman on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, London, to Nigerian parents, he attended St. Thomas the Apostle College in Peckham where he achieved three As and five As at GCSE.
Lookman signed for Everton on January 5,2017 for a fee of £7.5m rising to £11m on a four-and-a-half year contract and made his debut for the club 10 days later, scoring on his debut.
He received his first international call up on May 16, 2016 being named in the England U19 squad for a double header against Mexico. He was subsequently named in the England squad for the European U19 Championships the same summer.
In a telephone chat with Okoku from his base in the United States, the St. Finbarrs College of Lagos graduate, who claimed he had been watching the progress of Lookman from his days at Charlton Athletic said it would not be a bad idea if the NFF tries to woo him to play for Nigeria in spite of failing in its first bid.
“I think he is the kind of player that will fit into the style of coach Gernot Rohr. I’m not saying he should just be drafted into the Super Eagles just like that, of course, he would have to earn the national team’s shirt to justify his inclusion. However, the federation should try to further convince him to play for the country of his fatherland and not another country,†Okuku said.
The 1988 Africa Cup of Nations silver medalist pointed out that with the performance of Nigeria in the World Cup qualifier, it won’t be too difficult to convince Lookman as the Super Eagles is set to hoist its flag at the 2018 Mundial in Russia.
“Unpalatable experiences of some Nigerians that had tried to play for England in the past are enough for any Nigerian player to think twice in their choice of country to play for. Moreover, Eagles’ good run in the World Cup qualifying rounds is enough to lure any player of Nigeria extraction to play for the country.
“I think he is the kind of player that will fit into the style of coach Gernot Rohr. I’m not saying he should just be drafted into the Super Eagles just like that, of course, he would have to earn the national team’s shirt to justify his inclusion. However, the federation should try to further convince him to play for the country of his fatherland and not another country,†Okuku said.
The 1988 Africa Cup of Nations silver medalist pointed out that with the performance of Nigeria in the World Cup qualifier, it won’t be too difficult to convince Lookman as the Super Eagles is set to hoist its flag at the 2018 Mundial in Russia.
“Unpalatable experiences of some Nigerians that had tried to play for England in the past are enough for any Nigerian player to think twice in their choice of country to play for. Moreover, Eagles’ good run in the World Cup qualifying rounds is enough to lure any player of Nigeria extraction to play for the country.
“Also, at this time, we need young players that would play for the country for 10 or more years to get to the height of our football and dominate the world stage like what we witnessed during Clemence Westerhof’s era. That is why players such as Lookman is important to the Super Eagles’ project,†the defunct Union Bank of Lagos player said.
