Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini and winger Ademola Lookman proudly showcased their recent accolades before their team’s Serie A clash with Empoli on Sunday night.

Gasperini, who has been at the helm of Atalanta since 2016, was recently named Serie A Manager of the Month for his exceptional leadership, guiding the team through a successful run in the league.

Meanwhile, Lookman, the Nigerian international who has been in fantastic form, was awarded the prestigious African Footballer of the Year title just last week, cementing his status as one of the continent’s brightest talents.

The duo’s celebrations were made even sweeter when Atalanta secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Empoli.

Lookman was once again instrumental in the win, scoring Atalanta’s second goal in a match that showcased the team’s attacking flair and resilience.

So far this season, Lookman has been in excellent form, with 11 goals and 5 assists in 19 appearances across all competitions, a testament to his growing influence in Atalanta’s attacking setup.

His performances have been a key factor in the team’s impressive run in Serie A, where they’ve now won their last 11 league games.

Atalanta’s success this season has made them one of the standout teams in Italy, and Lookman’s performances have certainly added to the excitement surrounding the club.

Mohamed Salah made history on Sunday following Liverpool’s thrilling 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

The Egyptian winger, who was in sensational form, scored twice, helping his side secure a dominant win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With his brace, Salah set a new Premier League record as the first player in history to reach double figures for both goals and assists before Christmas.

Salah now boasts 18 goals and 14 assists across all competitions for Liverpool, solidifying his place as one of the club’s key players.

After the match, Salah was asked about his record-breaking feat.

He downplayed the significance, stating, “Records? I just keep working hard!

We were quite good in front,” referring to his and his team’s performance in the match.

His humility was evident as he continued, “It’s great to achieve that at such a big club.

Wherever I am going to end my career I am happy about it.”

Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has urged the club to focus on strengthening their defence rather than pursuing a striker like Victor Osimhen in the upcoming transfer window.

Wright-Phillips, who made a name for himself at Chelsea during his playing days, believes the club should prioritize their defensive lineup to address the current issues at the back, especially after the departure of veteran Thiago Silva earlier this year.

Chelsea’s defensive woes have been evident this season, with the team conceding more goals than expected.

Wright-Phillips pointed out that the club’s issues are not related to scoring goals, something they have been able to do, but rather to the mistakes made in their defensive setup.

He stated, “They’re not struggling to score goals. That is not a problem for them right now.

The problem is they are conceding goals. If they can cut some of those mistakes, then again, we see a different Chelsea.”

While Wright-Phillips acknowledges the immense talent of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who has impressed in Serie A with Napoli, he feels that Chelsea’s immediate focus should be on strengthening their defence.

Osimhen had been linked with a move to Chelsea in the past, especially before he joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli in the summer.

His performances in Italy have created interest from various top European clubs, but Wright-Phillips believes that Chelsea’s current squad doesn’t need another striker right now.

Instead, he emphasized that the club’s attention should be on replacing the leadership and experience left by Thiago, Silva.