Atletico insider rips Lookman as form declines: subbed at halftime again
Atletico Madrid insider Jesus Colino torched Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman after Saturday's 1-0 La Liga win over Deportivo de La Coruna, saying "his form continues to decline." Lookman was hooked at halftime for the third time in four league matches, managing zero shots, zero chances created, and barely touching the ball in 45 minutes.
Colino, writing for AS, detailed the grim stats: Lookman touched the ball fewer times than any Atletico teammate, completed just one forward pass into Deportivo's half, and attempted zero dribbles. Diego Simeone has now pulled him at the break in three of four league starts — a pointed signal about the manager's trust.
The domestic struggle contrasts sharply with Lookman's European output: he scored against Manchester United and assisted in the 1-1 Champions League draw with VfB Stuttgart. For Nigeria, the timing is awkward — World Cup qualifiers resume next month and AFCON looms in December. A striker lacking rhythm at club level arrives at camp with questions.
Simeone's patience has limits. Atletico paid big money for Lookman expecting immediate impact; instead they're getting a passenger in domestic games. The next league fixture against Real Betis becomes a referendum: start him, bench him, or change his role?
Will Lookman's European form translate to La Liga when the schedule intensifies, or is Simeone preparing to write off a expensive signing?