Atalanta manager, Ivan Juric, has said that Ademola Lookman’s involvement with the Super Eagles in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has delayed the player’s return to full fitness.
According to Juric, Lookman has not been able to train fully in recent weeks due to his national team commitments.
The Nigeria international scored only his first goal of the season in the midweek having endured a slow start without a goal or assist in his first six matches.
The former Premier League attacker scored in Atalanta’s 1-1 draw against AC Milan at the Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday night.
Atalanta’s next game is against Udinese, and addressing his pre-match press conference, Juric said that the quality of Lookman is not in doubt but his involvement with the Super Eagles had limited his training.
“He’s coming off a difficult period, and he’s worked little in recent weeks, partly due to his national team commitments,” Juric said.
“I wanted to give him a lot of play to help him regain his rhythm and confidence.
“He just needs to continue to grow, but I see him increasingly becoming part of the team,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fulham manager, Marco Silva has announced the return of Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze to the squad after weeks of injury.
This is also a boost for Nigeria ahead of their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff in Morocco.
Addressing the press ahead of their Premier League game against Wolves on Saturday, Silva provided a fitness update on Chukwueze.
This means that the winger could be available for selection when Eric Chelle announces his squad for the playoff in the coming days.