Atalanta attacker Ademola Lookman has sung the praises of coach Gian Piero Gasparini.

Lookman is enjoying career best form this season.

He told The Times: “I understand what he says when he talks slowly but when he's talking very fast it's hard for me. But I'm picking up Italian pretty good.

“(Gasperini) is intense, a strong man, a top coach. He always wants us to attack, he loves seeing goals. But there's a structure: he wants us to build through the thirds.

“I definitely have a defensive role [as well], to help the team within the structure, but that defensive role also allows me to attack. Italian football is known for structure. When you play against a team like Juventus or Spezia you see how diligent each player is defensively. They're so drilled on structure here.

“We've an amazing team, a strong team, a team full of talent, a team full of hunger and passion, so there are big things on the horizon for the team."