Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has admitted that the squad is still adjusting as the 2026/27 La Liga season begins, leaving Ademola Lookman's role unclear. The Nigerian forward, who won the 2024 African Footballer of the Year award, joined from Atalanta in January and is preparing for his first full campaign in Spain.
Lookman's Impact Since Arrival
Since his move to the Spanish capital, Lookman has shown promising form. According to Transfermarkt, he posted nine goals and four assists in the second half of last season, operating primarily as a left-sided midfielder and second striker in Simeone's 4-4-2 system. His contributions helped Atletico secure a strong finish, but the manager now faces the challenge of integrating several new faces in a condensed pre-season window.
Lookman's arrival was seen as a major coup for Atletico, who moved quickly to secure the forward after his standout performances in Serie A. However, with multiple players returning from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at different stages, Simeone has had limited time to build a cohesive unit.
Simeone's Candid Admission
In his pre-season press conference, Simeone was asked directly how he would deploy Lookman given the significant squad changes. The coach stopped short of assigning a fixed role, instead highlighting the broader integration process. "We're in the process of settling in really. The truth is among the players who played in the World Cup, there were many of them, and their arrival. Some arrived later, others earlier. Kang-in started training with us when we went to Korea. Romero arrived recently," Simeone said, as reported by ANS.
"The truth is we are in the process of adjusting what we are going to do, where we are going to go, and obviously we are going to need the time that we don't have because tomorrow we compete but that is the reality," he added.
Immediate Fixture Pressure
With Atletico set to compete from the opening weekend, Simeone will have little room to ease his players into the campaign. Lookman's versatility across attacking positions could prove useful as the squad continues to bed in. The team's first competitive fixture is imminent, and the manager acknowledges the lack of preparation time.
In related news, Legit.ng previously reported that Lookman has taken a new shirt number at Atletico Madrid ahead of his first full season. The Super Eagles forward dropped the number 22 he wore before and picked up number 11 after the departure of Argentine winger Thiago Almada. This change signals a fresh start for the Nigerian international as he aims to cement his place in Simeone's starting lineup.
