Ademola Lookman Vs Victor Osimhen. Who is better? - José Peseiro settles debate
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Lookman and Osimhen in action for Nigeria during the 2023 AFCON semifinal against South Africa |Photo Credit: Imago

Ademola Lookman Vs Victor Osimhen. Who is better? - José Peseiro settles debate

Asukwo Oduo 20:21 - 23.08.2024

Ex-coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria José Peseiro knows Lookman and Osimhen more than anyone else and he has stated who the better player is. Do you agree?

Former Super Eagles coach José Peseiro has given his view on who the better football player is between Ademola Lookman or Victor Osimhen.

Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen are two of the biggest names in the Super Eagles squad at the moment. Lookman plays as a forward (majorly Left wing) with Atalanta while Victor Osimhen is an out-in-out striker for Napoli. 

The pair were instrumental for Nigeria as the West African team finished runners-up at 2023 AFCON, suffering an agonising 2-1 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast in the final.

The man who led Nigeria at the African tournament José Peseiro has firsthand knowledge regarding the two players more than anyone else - having coached both players at the international level.

Two seasons ago, Victor Osimhen made history with Napoli, scoring 26 goals in 32 league games to lead I Partenopei to their first scudetto in 33 years. Not only that, the 25-year-old (ranked 8th overall) also became the first Nigerian player to make the top 10 of the FIFA Men’s Ballon d’Or list

The numbers did dwindle a bit in the following season, where he bagged 17 goals in 32 games in an injury-ravaged campaign.

Ademola Lookman on the other hand, enjoyed a stellar campaign last season when he helped Atalanta end a 60-year trophy drought.

The former Everton player bagged a hat-trick in the final to help Atalanta defeat Xabi Alonso's Bayer team that were yet to lose a game until that point.

For his exploits with Napoli, Osimhen was awarded the African Footballer of the Year, becoming the first Nigerian in two decades to wear the continental crown since Kanu Nwankwo back in 1999.

Meanwhile, Ademola Lookman is also in the running to take the crown off his compatriot following a stellar campaign in Italy and with Nigeria at the 2023 AFCON.

José Peseiro settles Lookman Vs Osimhen debate

During an exclusive interview last year with SportsItalia, Peseiro praised Osimhen for his ability to press and fight, and that he is capable of playing for any top team in the world.

However, Peseiro quickly mentioned that Ademola Lookman edges it a little due to his technical abilities.   

“Ademola is more technical than Osimhen, more inclined to create the game, and who is now also scoring. He is performing very well this year. He grew up with (Atalanta manager) Gian Piero Gasperini, now he is always playing, and we are happy with him. high level, he too can aspire to do great things.”

“It’s no coincidence that they’ve both grown this year. This is because they’re both within a good system of play. Atalanta and Napoli want the ball, they want to play and attack. In these conditions, players get excited like this. Italian football has changed a lot in the last few years,” Peseioro added.

José Peseiro’s verdict is in sync with that of the team at Pulse Sports Nigerian. Early this year, 26-year-old Ademola Lookman was ranked as the best Nigerian footballer on the PulseSports30 list for the 2023/2024.

What next for Osimhen and Lookman?

Both players have been the subject of transfer speculations linking them away from their respective clubs. 

Arsenal, PSG, and Liverpool have all expressed interest in signing Lookman but no deal has been agreed just yet. Meanwhile, Osimhen has made his intentions clear to leave Naples but Chelsea, PSG, and Arsenal have not been able to meet Napoli’s £100m+ valuation.

With less than ten days to the closing of the summer transfer window, Nigerian fans will be hoping and praying that their favourite stars land their dream move.