'It's crazy': Player Everton signed for £11m can't believe Ballon D'Or nomination, Liverpool now want him

As the former Everton youngster continues to establish himself as one of Europe’s top attacking talents, a knee-jerk reaction would be to pour yet more scorn on the beleaguered Toffees.

And, true, Everton in hindsight would maybe accept that they did not exactly handle his development particularly well.

Ademola Lookman was still a teenager when he arrived at Goodison Park in an £11 million deal from Charlton Athletic back in 2017. Looking back now, it is hard to imagine a young player joining a club at a worse time.

Lookman quickly became lost in a directionless churn of players and managers early in the Farhad Moshiri era, eventually leaving for RB Leipzig after a grand total of seven Premier League starts.

But, rather than place the blame directly on Everton’s doorstep, perhaps it is worth considering that Lookman’s remarkable rise at Atalanta is not so much a criticism of the Toffees and more a complement to Gian Piero Gasperini.

After all, it’s not as if Leipzig, Fulham or Leicester City really succeeded in getting the best out of the now-26-year-old Nigeria international before he arrived in Bergamo with a point to prove and a reputation to save back in 2022.

Former Everton and Fulham man Ademola Lookman in Ballon D’Or race

Two years on, Lookman’s inclusion in the Ballon D’Or shortlist should primarily be viewed – not as a stick with which to beat his former clubs – but as proof of Gasperini’s almost unrivalled ability to take underachieving talents to hitherto-unimaginable heights.

“I thought it was crazy when I saw my name in the 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or,” Lookman tells L’Equipe. “It’s crazy. And being the only African player on the list makes it even more special.

“I’m really proud of it. It’s an honour knowing where I’ve come from.”

Of course, the Wandsworth-born Lookman is hardly a frontrunner to be named the world’s best footballer for 2024. He is some way down the list, behind Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and the arguable favourite Vinicius Jr.

But one piece of silverware is enough to keep Lookman smiling.

And so it should, the Charlton graduate becoming the first player since the legendary Jupp Heynckes in 1975 to score a hat-trick in a European final. Lookman’s thrilling treble saw off Bayern Munich in the Europa League decider in May, while also securing the first major trophy in Atalanta’s entire history.

Lookman scored 17 goals and set up 10 more across 2023/24. But it was that scintillating display in Dublin while nailed down his spot in the Ballon D’Or reckoning.

Atalanta star Lookman could return to Merseyside with Liverpool

“The feeling of winning and having a medal around your neck is an amazing feeling,” adds Lookman, who has now produced 56 goals or assists in 85 Atalanta appearances.

“And making history in a small place like Bergamo is really special. I was shocked when Gasperini told me that I’d become part of football history a few days later.

“It’s an honour, but I’ve worked hard to get here.”

Lookman – TBR understands the Nigerian is on the radar of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and even Liverpool now – is not the only former Everton youngster to rattle home a historic hat-trick after leaving Merseyside.

Isaac Price fired Northern Ireland to a 5-0 victory over Bulgaria with a treble of his own on Tuesday night.