Lookman Feels At Home

Ademola Lookman stepped off the plane at Liverpool John Lennon airport on Saturday afternoon sporting a big smile and a spring in his step.
 
The five-day training camp in Dubai was declared a resounding success by Ronald Koeman but for the young forward, just weeks into his Blues career, it proved extra advantageous.
 
Time away from the daily routine at USM Finch Farm, in a tight-knit environment, afforded Lookman the chance to assess his first month as an Everton player and to feel even more at home in and amongst his teammates, learning more about them not only as players but also as people.
 
“I got to know them and they got to know me,” Lookman said of his Dubai experience. “I’ve only just joined in January and I feel like I’m even more part of the team now, which is good.
 
“It takes some adapting but I’ve been doing that on the training pitch every single day. I’ve adapted well and with time I’ll adapt even more and become better as a player.

“It was very beneficial [for the squad]. We have quite a few fixtures coming up and to be able to perform in those to the highest level, you have to be 100 per cent every day. I believe that the Dubai training camp gave us that little bit extra that we needed.”

 
A debut goal, struck in front of the Gwladys Street four minutes after emerging from the bench against Manchester City, forged an instant endearment with the Everton supporters for Lookman.
 
Since then he has made four more appearances, the most recent two of which have been starts against Bournemouth and Middlesbrough.
 
The youngster has already earned the trust of Koeman, which he feels has taken the pressure off his shoulders following his multi-million pound move from Charlton Athletic.
 
“If you have that belief from the manager, it gives you even more belief in yourself,” he reasoned. “That raises your confidence and when you step onto the football pitch, you can express yourself. It’s something that I will hold onto every single day so I can better myself.”

Next up for Everton is a home meeting with Sunderland on Saturday, as the Toffees chase a fourth successive Goodison Premier League victory.

Southampton [3-0], Manchester City [4-0] and Bournemouth [6-3] have all been beaten during the team’s good run of form.

Lookman continued: “Our home performances have been excellent and the fans have been behind us 100 per cent. It give us, as a team, confidence when we step out on the football pitch that the fans are behind us.”