The Everton teenager has impressed in his first few weeks at Goodison Park.
Watching on in wonder as Ademola Lookman danced his way through the Bournemouth defenders in his full Everton debut on Saturday, it’s hard to believe Ronald Koeman had been subject to such scrutiny over his approach to young players.
It didn’t help that he publically criticised the latest crop of Southampton academy hopefuls during his time on the South Coast, or that he admitted he had never heard of Josh Sims, the Saints teenager who tore apart Everton at St Mary’s in December.
Yet, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, Koeman appears to be the ideal coach to help Lookman realise his potential.
“I’m Dutch, it is not about age in football, it is about qualities in football!” the manager said.
“In the first half [Lookman] lost two actions that he took risks to play one against one in a part of the pitch that is not possible.
“But I like that he’s clever, he likes to play but he needs to adapt to the intensity of the game. He is not the most physical or strongest, and you need to play and move. He will be a great player, I am sure about that.”
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Koeman’s ‘tough love’ approach has produced mixed results so far, with Ross Barkley flickering and Gerard Deulofeu forced out, but criticism plays a crucial role in the Dutchman’s man-management.
Sure, he may appear blunt at times, even a little harsh, but Koeman wants his players to improve. Explaining clearly, emphatically, where they are going wrong gets the message across, even if it does rub a few up the wrong way.
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However, the 53-year-old knows that, in Lookman, he has a player willing to listen and adapt. The teenager must take the rough with the smooth and, under Koeman, he has the perfect manager to balance positive reinforcement with constructive criticism.
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