Lookman’s words:
“I think we needed to let some time pass after the elimination from the World Cup, but the Africa Cup of Nations is now our responsibility and we know we have a tournament to play. There are matches to come and we want to perform, doing our best game after game. Last year we reached the final, so we want, God willing, to take the next step. We have to play as a team.”
These semifinalists:
“Let’s hope so. There are many strong teams in Africa, many top players. I believe in my team, given the formation we have and we can reach the semi-final. But it’s difficult to say who will be there”.
On Atalanta:
“I think a lot has happened, but now the focus is how to get back into shape, at the best. I’m trying to do better every day, that’s the most important thing.”
If he is still angry:
“No, I’m living in the moment and trying to perform as best I can.”
About Gasperini:
“Everyone has their own methods and ideologies, ways of training and you can take these philosophies together. Everyone is different, between training and management methods, but they have their own qualities”.
On Gasperini’s way of doing things:
“I think he is a very particular manager with his players. He wanted a certain type of performance, he wanted to win. He is a winner. But so am I, in this sense we had the same objective. Everyone wants to do it.”
On his farewell:
“Everyone makes their own decisions for their ambitions. But he has a new chapter where he can win something, I wish him the best.”
On the best moment:
“I think a mix of things. The celebrations after the match, when everyone was there, the stadium was exploding, the fans over the moon with excitement. I was happy to have won the Europa League, the whole evening was special.”
On pardoning Gasperini:
“There is nothing to forgive, what happened happened, what was said was said. It is what it is. Today is another day. Yes, what’s done is done, I don’t live in the past.”
On his past with England Under-17s:
“I think bygones are bygones. I won a trophy with England many, many years ago. Now I play and represent my country, in a team full of fantastic players who take my playing to another level. I don’t think about what could have been and wasn’t.”
Future South:
“I hope it’s big and shiny, I’m positive and I think positively about things, always. I believe I have a great future ahead of me, you can think about what’s coming but the important thing is now and how can I be the best version of me currently.”
