Atalanta need Ademola Lookman - Super Eagles boss Chelle

Eric Chelle believes it was the right call to include Ademola Lookman in Nigeria's squad for the September World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Rwanda.

The selection was questionable at the time, as the winger had missed Atalanta's pre-season and the start of their new campaign amid a public transfer saga.

Chelle argued that the attacker is indispensable for Nigeria, and even for his club.

“To those who were surprised, I replied that it was difficult to do without a player of this level, and Lookman was in good shape, that he was training hard, because he is a great professional, very demanding of himself,” Chelle told AfricaFoot.

Since the international break, the situation with his club has noticeably eased, with Lookman making a brief cameo in Atalanta’s 3-0 defeat to Torino and then starting the club's UEFA Champions League win over Club Brugge.

Chelle believes both parties are now focused on a resolution.

“Apparently, each is taking a step towards the other, and that’s good news.

"From what I know, Lookman was supposed to leave last summer, but his management refused, which affected him a lot, as I saw during the meeting last September.

"Lookman is a great player, but also a quiet, introverted man who doesn’t let his emotions show. I think his management and coaching staff understood that the team needed him, and Ademola needs to play.”