Two of Ademola Lookman‘s most prominent club managers are in agreement: the Super Eagles forward’s most significant limitation has historically been his work rate without the ball. Ralph Hasenhüttl, the Austrian coach who managed Lookman during his time at RB Leipzig, has offered candid insight into the Nigerian international’s developmental challenges, aligning closely with views expressed by his current Atlético Madrid boss Diego Simeone.
Speaking in an interview with The Sun, Hasenhüttl praised the 28-year-old’s attacking qualities while acknowledging the difficulties he encountered during his permanent spell in Germany. “Working hard off the ball was tough for him and maybe too much, which is why maybe he struggled,” the former manager said. “But he has had a good journey since. His dribbling and finishing is his biggest strength.”
Lookman’s relationship with Leipzig began promisingly. Arriving on loan in January 2018, he made an immediate impact — famously scoring a debut winner against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 89th minute after changing his boots to deal with a muddy pitch. He registered 5 goals and 3 assists in just 11 appearances during that initial loan spell between January and June 2018. Hasenhüttl also recalled the frantic circumstances of that deadline-day signing, with sporting director Ralf Rangnick reportedly sprinting through a player restaurant to send the confirming fax in time.
However, when Lookman returned to Leipzig on a permanent basis in 2019, the transition proved far more difficult. By that point, Julian Nagelsmann had taken charge, and Lookman struggled to establish himself under the new tactical regime. The demanding pressing systems common in the Bundesliga, which require significant defensive effort from attacking players, appeared to expose the limitations that Hasenhüttl has now publicly acknowledged.
Those same concerns resurfaced when Lookman completed a blockbuster £30 million transfer from Atalanta to Atlético Madrid in February 2026. Despite shining in his early appearances for the club, Simeone was measured in his praise, pointing out that the forward still had considerable work to do defensively. Simeone’s Atlético sides are built on rigorous defensive organisation, making the winger’s off-ball application a particularly scrutinised aspect of his game at the Metropolitano.
More recently, however, Simeone has indicated that Lookman is making tangible progress in that department. The Nigerian’s defensive contribution was notably recognised during Atlético Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona, where he was praised for his work off the ball — a marked shift from the early concerns raised upon his arrival.
Lookman won the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award, a recognition driven largely by his explosive performances for Atalanta, including a hat-trick in the Europa League final. His technical brilliance has never been in doubt. The ongoing narrative around his defensive development reflects the broader demands placed on wide forwards at elite European clubs, particularly those operating within high-press or defensively disciplined systems.
With Atlético Madrid still competing in the Champions League and chasing domestic honours, Lookman’s ability to fulfil both offensive and defensive responsibilities will remain central to how Simeone deploys him for the remainder of the season.
