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.

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.

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has expressed concerns over the club’s decision to prioritize the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili over retaining their backup goalkeeper.

Caoimhin Kelleher believes he is the superior player. Aldridge, a former striker for the Reds, voiced his frustration at what he sees as a poor decision by the club’s management, especially given Kelleher’s consistent performances when called upon last season.

Kelleher, the Irish goalkeeper, was thrust into the spotlight due to regular injuries to first-choice keeper Alisson.

Despite being a backup, Kelleher impressed with his performances, making 26 appearances and keeping five clean sheets.

His contribution was significant, especially during moments when Alisson was sidelined, and many fans and pundits alike praised him for his solid displays between the posts.

However, despite these strong performances, Liverpool has already agreed to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, with the Georgian goalkeeper set to join the club in the summer of 2025.

Mamardashvili, widely regarded as a promising young talent, has caught the eye of several top European clubs with his performances in La Liga.

But Aldridge is not convinced that Mamardashvili will be an upgrade on Kelleher, arguing that the Irish goalkeeper is currently the better option.

Aldridge expressed his belief that Kelleher’s future at Liverpool could be in jeopardy with the arrival of Mamardashvili.

He suggested that the club could be making a mistake by pushing Kelleher out to make room for the Georgian keeper, who will likely be seen as a long-term replacement for Alisson.

Aldridge believes Kelleher is a valuable asset and should not be overlooked, as he has already shown his worth in critical moments during the season.

He told Sunday World, “I think Liverpool are making a mistake with their Ireland keeper.

Kelleher is better than Mamardashvili, who will arrive at Anfield next summer.”