Nigerian international Ademola Lookman has completed a significant transfer from Atalanta to Spanish giants Atlético Madrid during the winter transfer window, where he will now play under the demanding and tactically astute coach Diego Simeone. This high-profile move has sparked discussions regarding Lookman's suitability for Simeone's intense style, with some questioning his personality and adaptability.

These doubts largely stem from a turbulent final period in Italy. Lookman reportedly clashed publicly with former Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini after being criticized for missing a penalty in a Champions League match. Furthermore, under Gasperini’s successor, Ivan Jurić, an incident occurred where Jurić was seen grabbing the winger by the touchline following a substitution, apparently due to Lookman refusing to shake his hand. Last summer, the forward also pushed intensely for a move away from Bergamo, even skipping training sessions before eventually being reintegrated into the squad. These incidents led to him being labeled a 'troublemaker' in certain circles.

However, José Peseiro, the former Super Eagles head coach who worked closely with Lookman during his tenure with Nigeria, strongly refutes this negative image. Peseiro emphatically stated, "No, no, no, he's very, very easy to manage. You just have to let him be, even though sometimes he did things we didn't want because of his audacity on the field. But his problems had nothing to do with how to handle him." Peseiro described Lookman as a calm individual who does not act like a star or demand special treatment. He also expressed surprise at Lookman's public reaction to Gasperini, but understood it given the harsh criticism he received after consistently delivering for the team.

Peseiro is convinced that Simeone is the ideal coach to unlock Lookman's full potential and believes Atlético signed him with a clear tactical objective in mind. "I think Simeone was missing a player with those characteristics, that's why they went after him," Peseiro added, suggesting that Lookman is meant to complete a specific system and was brought in because of his recognized potential. Peseiro expressed confidence that Simeone and Lookman will establish a good working relationship.

Early indications since Lookman's arrival in Spain have been encouraging. He marked his debut with a goal and an assist in Atlético’s decisive 5-0 Copa del Rey quarter-final victory over Real Betis. Simeone will now be looking for another impactful performance from Lookman as Atlético prepares to host Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, before the return leg at Camp Nou.