Ademola Lookman: Breakdown of Simeone’s plan to get Nigerian back to his best

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has been poor this season, scoring just two goals and providing one assist for Atlético Madrid across all competitions.

The Nigerian winger made an immediate impact after arriving from Atalanta during the winter transfer window, scoring nine goals as Atlético reached the Copa del Rey final and the Champions League semi-finals.

However, his second campaign in Madrid has been less convincing. He’s been subbed off at half-time by Simeone in more than three league games for his lack of impact.

Simeone has continued to give the 29-year-old opportunities, but his inconsistent performances have made finding the right role important. Atlético are now considering a system that could allow Lookman to contribute effectively in the final third.

Simeone considers 4-3-3 to revive Ademola Lookman

According to Mundo Deportivo, Simeone is considering a 4-3-3 formation, with Lookman operating as the left winger. The Argentine has experimented with the system in recent matches against Stuttgart and Deportivo A Coruña.

The idea would give Lookman a more natural starting position on the left, allowing him to receive the ball on the flank, take on defenders and cut inside towards goal. Those are the situations in which he has been most dangerous.

His early Atlético performances offered a glimpse of what the club hoped to gain from his arrival. He scored and provided an assist in the 5-0 victory over Real Betis, before contributing decisive goals during the club’s cup and European campaigns.

Lookman finished his first half-season in Madrid with nine goals and four assists in 24 appearances, raising the hopes of Los Colchoneros fans for what his to come, but his dip has caused the scales to fall off.

The proposed formation is not, however, a guaranteed solution. Mundo Deportivo stressed that Lookman must improve his performances for the system to have a permanent place at the Metropolitano.

His assist for Julián Álvarez against Stuttgart showed what he can offer, but his half-time withdrawal against Deportivo illustrated the inconsistency Simeone is trying to address.

Why Lookman needs freedom to attack

The question centres on how Atlético can get Lookman closer to the situations where he can hurt opponents.

His best work often comes when he can take on defenders, use his acceleration to create room and move into dangerous areas rather than spending long periods competing physically with central defenders, a situation that isn’t his strongest suit.

Atlético’s problems in attack previously forced Simeone to deploy the Nigerian as a centre-forward.

Simeone has already acknowledged that Lookman is not currently performing at the level expected of him, while emphasising the forward’s work ethic and natural qualities.

“He is a dribbler; we need him to be one, to lose the ball and keep trying,” the Atlético coach said earlier this month.

The message suggests that Simeone does not want Lookman to become overly cautious because of his difficult spell. Instead, he wants the Nigerian to keep taking risks while improving the consistency of his contribution.

A return to the left flank could help, provided Atlético can balance their midfield and attacking responsibilities around him, and limit the defensive contributions the former RB Leipzig man has to make.

A tactical change is only the first step

Lookman has already demonstrated that he can deliver in major matches for Atlético. His challenge is to turn those flashes into regular contributions, especially now that Alex Baena is in red-hot form.

Simeone’s potential 4-3-3 offers one route back to his best form, but the system will only work if Lookman makes better use of the opportunities it creates.