‘Top-level’ star Everton sold has 28 goals and assists at new club already

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Former Everton and Premier League winger Ademola Lookman continues to from strength to strength in Serie A while establishing himself as a ‘top-level player’ at Atalanta. 

The sight of Ademola Lookman and Gianluca Scamacca leading the line for La Dea is certainly a bit of a slap in the face to those who wrote off the duo following difficult spells in English football. 

Scamacca, sold by West Ham after just one injury-hit season at the London Stadium, has five goals in his last five Serie A starts during a spell of ‘irrepressible’ form. Lookman, meanwhile, is finally adding a ruthless streak to the pace and skill which caught the eye at Everton, Fulham and Leicester City. 

Former Everton and Leicester man Ademola Lookman shining

Since moving to Italy in the summer of 2022, Lookman has scored 18 goals in all competitions. If you add assists to his tally, the Nigeria international has 28 goal contributions in 46 Atalanta appearances, meaning he either scores or sets up a goal every 1.6 games under Gian Piero Gasperini. 

“(The Atalanta attack) offers many solutions. Lookman is the real surprise. A top-level player who still has plenty of room for improvement,” former Atalanta, Napoli and Juventus striker Nicola Amoruso tells Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“(Lookman) is in great form,” adds Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro, speaking to Sport Italia after the Charlton academy graduate set up Scamacca’s consolation during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat by Serie A leaders Inter Milan.  

“I hope he maintains (these displays) it until the end of the season.” 

‘A top-level player’

There is some irony in the argument that, with Everton spending heavily on the likes of Dwight McNeil and likely to be quoted a big fee for Leeds loanee Jack Harrison, the cash-strapped Toffees could have saved themselves a pretty penny by offering Lookman the kind of opportunity he was frequently denied during a period of much uncertainty and instability at Everton, a forward now among Italy’s best falling victim to the seemingly-never-ending churn.