How might Lookman fit into Inter’s starting XI? | OneFootball

Atalanta star Ademola Lookman has been linked with a move to Inter, so how would the Nigerian forward fit into Cristian Chivu’s XI at the Stadio Meazza?

Atalanta star Lookman has emerged as a priority transfer target for Inter as new coach Chivu aims to sign a creative striker to add unpredictability to his squad.

Inter have already signed Ange-Yoan Bonny and have decided to retain Francesco Pio Esposito after a two-season loan spell at Spezia. The Nerazzurri have also parted ways with Joaquin Correa and Marko Arnautovic and hope to sell Mehdi Taremi before signing a fifth striker.

Why Inter want to sign Lookman

epa11761239 Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan, in Bergamo, Italy, 06 December 2024. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

Technically, Inter already have two starting strikers and their backups, so why does Chivu want to sign Lookman or a player with a similar skill set?

The former Parma coach is expected to confirm a 3-5-2 formation, but in his first games in charge of Inter at the Club World Cup, he showed more flexibility than his predecessor, Simone Inzaghi, starting with his debut against Monterrey.

Chivu has often switched his starting 3-5-2 formation with a 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-2-1, and that’s precisely where Lookman comes into the conversation.

The Nigerian forward can be used as one of the two centre forwards, but he can also be deployed as an atypical attacking midfielder, moving across the final third, especially when Inter need a player cutting inside from the left flank.

Lookman and Bonny better dribblers than Thuram

epa11824638 Juventus’s ‘and Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC, in Bergamo, Italy, 14 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

There’s another reason why Inter are looking for a player like Lookman or RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda, and it’s their need to be more unpredictable through dribbling. Back in 2023-24, the Nerazzurri won the Serie A title, showcasing one of the best brands of football in Europe. However, they attempted the fewest number of dribbles in Europe’s top five leagues, and their stats in this area didn’t improve significantly in 2024-25.

Lookman finished the 2024-25 Serie A campaign with 36 successful dribbles, according to Kickest, the same number as Inter’s new signing, Bonny.

The Nigerian star ranked 17th for successful dribbles last term, but the best-placed Inter player was Marcus Thuram, in 47th place, with just 24.

It remains to be seen whether Inter will convince Atalanta to lower their €50m asking price, but surely the Nerazzurri will be looking for a creative striker to begin a new course under Chivu and give their Treble hero the required tools to fight for the Serie A title once again.