'Doesn't follow instructions' – Expert urges Napoli not to prioritise signing of Lookman

[iworo]

'Doesn't follow instructions' – Expert urges Napoli not to prioritise signing of Lookman




Italian football expert Marcello Altamura has advised Serie A champions Napoli to prioritise the signing of Mattia Zaccagni and Dan Ndoye over Nigeria's Ademola Lookman, despite the Atalanta forward's stellar season.

Lookman, coming off an impressive season with Atalanta, has been linked with a move to the Serie A champions as they look to reinforce their attacking options ahead of the new campaign.

However, speaking on 1 Station Radio, as reported by Area Napoli, Altamura urged the club to reconsider, citing tactical discipline and team integration as key factors in his recommendation.

"I would probably choose the Zaccagni–Ndoye pairing, and I'll tell you why. They are both strong and reliable players," Altamura said.

He praised Zaccagni for his football intelligence and international experience, suggesting he would be a seamless fit in Conte's system.

"Zaccagni is no longer very young, but he is extremely intelligent from a tactical point of view, he has international experience and I think he would integrate very well with Conte's game and methodology."

Ndoye, he added, brings a mix of explosiveness, technical ability, and discipline—qualities he believes Napoli needs.

"Ndoye, on the other hand, is a player I have always liked: explosive, very technical, but also disciplined. He is not one of those 'anarchic' talents like Lookman, who scores a gem of a goal but then doesn't follow the instructions," Altamura said.

"In short, if I could choose, I would undoubtedly opt for the two of them."

Despite a turbulent and contentious second half of the season, Lookman delivered a standout performance for Atalanta, netting 15 goals and providing 5 assists across 31 Serie A appearances.

As the summer transfer window heats up, speculation continues over Lookman's destination, with Napoli reportedly among several clubs keeping close tabs on the Nigerian international's availability.

https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_n ... ?nid=56079

[iworo]

Marcello Altamura called Ademola Lookman an “anarchic talent”, despite his 15-goal season for Atalanta….suggesting he doesn’t “follow instructions”.

It’s a tired stereotype, when African players show flair or confidence, it’s seen as indiscipline. But if a European or South American does it, it’s “creative” or “expressive”.

Lookman’s numbers speak for themselves. For Christ sake, these Europeans should stop masking bias as tactical analysis.

[danfo driver]

I will make two posts to respond to this. This is the first --

1. Someone should find out the relationship between Marcello Altamura and former Atalanta coach - Gasperini. The Europeans staunchly support their own and it wouldnt be out of the ordinary for Marcello to be on a campaign to destroy Ademola's name because of the misbehavior of Gasperini last season.

2. Someone should also check the relationship between Marcello Altamura and Napoli. Not out of the ordinary for clubs to have journalists on their payroll and brief through them. In this case, it could be that Ademola does not want Napoli and Napoli is getting out ahead of it to make their fans believe that they are the ones who turned him down. For instance, Fabrizio is well known to be on payrolls of Barca and Chelsea.

3. Ademola is better than Zaccagni and Ndoye, COMBINED!! And this is coming from someone who likes Ndoye a lot.

4. In normal circumstances, Ademola will not consider a club like Napoli. They are beneath him. And I am not trying to be nasty towards Napoli. In Italy, the likes of Juve and Inter will bite off fingers to have Ademola.

[danfo driver]

My second post, I dont blame Marcello Altamura. Honestly, I am not mad at him.

Nigerians have spent 1 year doing everything to destroy the name and ruin the career of Osimhen. When I mentioned it, people tried to not take it seriously. Marcello Altamura can say whatever he likes to ruin Ademola's career, because as far as he is concerned, (1) this is what Africans say about themselves and (2) there is no fierce support for them, anyway. He knows what he is doing, that is why I wondered whether he is friends with Gasperini and this is personal -- because this allegation is clearly meant to damage Ademola's career. To end him from getting a top move. This is not about Napoli.

So, lets continue. Lets continue to damage the careers of our own players and this is one of the results.

[danfo driver]

Marcello Altamura called Ademola Lookman an “anarchic talent”, despite his 15-goal season for Atalanta….suggesting he doesn’t “follow instructions”.

It’s a tired stereotype, when African players show flair or confidence, it’s seen as indiscipline. But if a European or South American does it, it’s “creative” or “expressive”.

Lookman’s numbers speak for themselves. For Christ sake, these Europeans should stop masking bias as tactical analysis.

And what should the demonic Nigerians stop doing? My brother, lets clean our own house first! We have devilish people in our fanbase who have done everything to derail someone's career and we (me and you - not just you) are more interested in attacking a foreigner for doing the same thing? Let us clean our house first!

[iworo]

Marcello Altamura called Ademola Lookman an “anarchic talent”, despite his 15-goal season for Atalanta….suggesting he doesn’t “follow instructions”.

It’s a tired stereotype, when African players show flair or confidence, it’s seen as indiscipline. But if a European or South American does it, it’s “creative” or “expressive”.

Lookman’s numbers speak for themselves. For Christ sake, these Europeans should stop masking bias as tactical analysis.

And what should the demonic Nigerians stop doing? My brother, lets clean our own house first! We have devilish people in our fanbase who have done everything to derail someone's career and we (me and you - not just you) are more interested in attacking a foreigner for doing the same thing? Let us clean our house first!

You’re absolutely right that we need to clean our own house. Nigerian fans have been brutal to their own players and that’s a conversation we must keep having. But both things can be true.

Calling out internal toxicity doesn’t mean we should stay silent when foreign pundits reinforce tired stereotypes. We can and should do both…….hold ourselves accountable and challenge how African players are portrayed globally. One doesn’t excuse the other.

[Bigpokey24]

I will make two posts to respond to this. This is the first --

1. Someone should find out the relationship between Marcello Altamura and former Atalanta coach - Gasperini. The Europeans staunchly support their own and it wouldnt be out of the ordinary for Marcello to be on a campaign to destroy Ademola's name because of the misbehavior of Gasperini last season.

2. Someone should also check the relationship between Marcello Altamura and Napoli. Not out of the ordinary for clubs to have journalists on their payroll and brief through them. In this case, it could be that Ademola does not want Napoli and Napoli is getting out ahead of it to make their fans believe that they are the ones who turned him down. For instance, Fabrizio is well known to be on payrolls of Barca and Chelsea.

3. Ademola is better than Zaccagni and Ndoye, COMBINED!! And this is coming from someone who likes Ndoye a lot.

4. In normal circumstances, Ademola will not consider a club like Napoli. They are beneath him. And I am not trying to be nasty towards Napoli. In Italy, the likes of Juve and Inter will bite off fingers to have Ademola.

and ben jacobs as well

[ANC]

This is just too much to read, haba, I am not Pa Oshee.
Having said the above, anyone that speaks ill of Wonder Boy II,
may thunder fire that person for head.

[Dammy]

There’s definitely something fishy about the European transfer market!
I can’t believe that Bayern Munich are pursuing a deal for the notoriously inconsistent Rafael Leao and not trying to sign the more effective and proven Ademola Lookman

[EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA]

There’s definitely something fishy about the European transfer market!
I can’t believe that Bayern Munich are pursuing a deal for the notoriously inconsistent Rafael Leao and not trying to sign the more effective and proven Ademola Lookman

Maybe marketing has something to do with it. If you have 2 players that are equally productive, meaning you’d get similar results from both, most clubs would choose the player whose jerseys would sell the most and bring more revenue. Leao’s jersey would likely sell more than Lookman’s jersey in Europe because fans might be more familiar with him. Let’s face it, Nigerians have the numbers but we don’t buy authentic jerseys as much, even the authentic SE jerseys are rare in Nigeria. Na Temu and Chinese versions we dey buy.

[gochino]

There’s definitely something fishy about the European transfer market!
I can’t believe that Bayern Munich are pursuing a deal for the notoriously inconsistent Rafael Leao and not trying to sign the more effective and proven Ademola Lookman

It doesn't work that way, 2 different players with different playing styles it always depends on the playing style of the coach.

[deanotito]

Marcello Altamura called Ademola Lookman an “anarchic talent”, despite his 15-goal season for Atalanta….suggesting he doesn’t “follow instructions”.

It’s a tired stereotype, when African players show flair or confidence, it’s seen as indiscipline. But if a European or South American does it, it’s “creative” or “expressive”.

Lookman’s numbers speak for themselves. For Christ sake, these Europeans should stop masking bias as tactical analysis.

I’m not sure this fits into the typical stereotype of African players. The historical and unfair knock on African talent was ignorance. This one sounds more like stubbornness

[danfo driver]

There’s definitely something fishy about the European transfer market!
I can’t believe that Bayern Munich are pursuing a deal for the notoriously inconsistent Rafael Leao and not trying to sign the more effective and proven Ademola Lookman

It doesn't work that way, 2 different players with different playing styles it always depends on the playing style of the coach.

see Mrs Finidi. So why are clubs not going for Ademola?

[iworo]

Marcello Altamura called Ademola Lookman an “anarchic talent”, despite his 15-goal season for Atalanta….suggesting he doesn’t “follow instructions”.

It’s a tired stereotype, when African players show flair or confidence, it’s seen as indiscipline. But if a European or South American does it, it’s “creative” or “expressive”.

Lookman’s numbers speak for themselves. For Christ sake, these Europeans should stop masking bias as tactical analysis.

I’m not sure this fits into the typical stereotype of African players. The historical and unfair knock on African talent was ignorance. This one sounds more like stubbornness

I get what you mean, but in football, labels like “stubborn”, “anarchic” or “undisciplined” have historically been used to undermine African players, no matter how well they perform. It may not sound like the old “ignorance” tag, but it still fits the same pattern……framing confident, creative African talent as a liability instead of an asset. Different language, same underlying bias.

[deanotito]

Marcello Altamura called Ademola Lookman an “anarchic talent”, despite his 15-goal season for Atalanta….suggesting he doesn’t “follow instructions”.

It’s a tired stereotype, when African players show flair or confidence, it’s seen as indiscipline. But if a European or South American does it, it’s “creative” or “expressive”.

Lookman’s numbers speak for themselves. For Christ sake, these Europeans should stop masking bias as tactical analysis.

I’m not sure this fits into the typical stereotype of African players. The historical and unfair knock on African talent was ignorance. This one sounds more like stubbornness

I get what you mean, but in football, labels like “stubborn”, “anarchic” or “undisciplined” have historically been used to undermine African players, no matter how well they perform. It may not sound like the old “ignorance” tag, but it still fits the same pattern……framing confident, creative African talent as a liability instead of an asset. Different language, same underlying bias.

Ok.

In general, I think Lookman and Atalanta both benefited from his move there…immensely. Even if he has to leave, it’s been a very excellent partnership so far, notwithstanding the controversy.

[amafolas]

I would never forget watching some international soccer game with my dad, I was like 7 or so. the yeye commentator said something "naivete of African folks". I didn't even know the meaning of the word. I just remembered my dad fuming the rest of the match.

[danfo driver]

I would never forget watching some international soccer game with my dad, I was like 7 or so. the yeye commentator said something "naivete of African folks". I didn't even know the meaning of the word. I just remembered my dad fuming the rest of the match.

It is well.

[Bigpokey24]

Person way be APOY, won the Europa league while scoring a hatrick, made 3 major cup finals in one season, finished 14th in the Ballon D'Or, back to back seasons with double digits in goals.

Ok ooo. Whereas one dummy here named kongi agrees with the oyinbo journo.. continue

[gochino]

There’s definitely something fishy about the European transfer market!
I can’t believe that Bayern Munich are pursuing a deal for the notoriously inconsistent Rafael Leao and not trying to sign the more effective and proven Ademola Lookman

It doesn't work that way, 2 different players with different playing styles it always depends on the playing style of the coach.

see Mrs Finidi. So why are clubs not going for Ademola?

https://www.football-espana.net/2025/06 ... n-atalanta
Haba, Mrs. Osimhen, Google is your friend na, stop being lazy!

Barcelona set sights on Ademola Lookman
Marcus Rashford is one player that Barcelona like, and another is Ademola Lookman. The Nigeria international could leave Atalanta this summer, and according to 3cat, the Catalans have him on their list.
We can also ask why is Barcelona not considering Rafael?

[packerland]

I would never forget watching some international soccer game with my dad, I was like 7 or so. the yeye commentator said something "naivete of African folks". I didn't even know the meaning of the word. I just remembered my dad fuming the rest of the match.

Bros, you don’t have to go far back. Go and watch some of the Falcons WC/Olympics games before Randy came on board and you will hear the commentators say those words to describe African teams.

[danfo driver]

There’s definitely something fishy about the European transfer market!
I can’t believe that Bayern Munich are pursuing a deal for the notoriously inconsistent Rafael Leao and not trying to sign the more effective and proven Ademola Lookman

It doesn't work that way, 2 different players with different playing styles it always depends on the playing style of the coach.

see Mrs Finidi. So why are clubs not going for Ademola?

https://www.football-espana.net/2025/06 ... n-atalanta
Haba, Mrs. Osimhen, Google is your friend na, stop being lazy!

Barcelona set sights on Ademola Lookman
Marcus Rashford is one player that Barcelona like, and another is Ademola Lookman. The Nigeria international could leave Atalanta this summer, and according to 3cat, the Catalans have him on their list.
We can also ask why is Barcelona not considering Rafael?

Mrs. Finidi now relying on "football espana" So, we can now rely on random websites huh huh?

E really pain you that Osimhen humiliated your husband on video, got his a55 fired and since then, your husband has returned to his level.

[gochino]

There’s definitely something fishy about the European transfer market!
I can’t believe that Bayern Munich are pursuing a deal for the notoriously inconsistent Rafael Leao and not trying to sign the more effective and proven Ademola Lookman

It doesn't work that way, 2 different players with different playing styles it always depends on the playing style of the coach.

see Mrs Finidi. So why are clubs not going for Ademola?

https://www.football-espana.net/2025/06 ... n-atalanta
Haba, Mrs. Osimhen, Google is your friend na, stop being lazy!

Barcelona set sights on Ademola Lookman
Marcus Rashford is one player that Barcelona like, and another is Ademola Lookman. The Nigeria international could leave Atalanta this summer, and according to 3cat, the Catalans have him on their list.
We can also ask why is Barcelona not considering Rafael?

Mrs. Finidi now relying on "football espana" So, we can now rely on random websites huh huh?

E really pain you that Osimhen humiliated your husband on video, got his a55 fired and since then, your husband has returned to his level.

Bro I think you are sick, you need special care.

[danfo driver]

There’s definitely something fishy about the European transfer market!
I can’t believe that Bayern Munich are pursuing a deal for the notoriously inconsistent Rafael Leao and not trying to sign the more effective and proven Ademola Lookman

It doesn't work that way, 2 different players with different playing styles it always depends on the playing style of the coach.

see Mrs Finidi. So why are clubs not going for Ademola?

https://www.football-espana.net/2025/06 ... n-atalanta
Haba, Mrs. Osimhen, Google is your friend na, stop being lazy!

Barcelona set sights on Ademola Lookman
Marcus Rashford is one player that Barcelona like, and another is Ademola Lookman. The Nigeria international could leave Atalanta this summer, and according to 3cat, the Catalans have him on their list.
We can also ask why is Barcelona not considering Rafael?

Mrs. Finidi now relying on "football espana" So, we can now rely on random websites huh huh?

E really pain you that Osimhen humiliated your husband on video, got his a55 fired and since then, your husband has returned to his level.

Bro I think you are sick, you need special care.