Diego Simeone has publicly backed Ademola Lookman despite the Nigerian forward's difficult start to the season at Atletico Madrid.
Lookman has scored once in nine appearances this season, a sharp drop after a strong first half-year in Spain.
Simeone addressed the forward's form before Atletico's UEFA Champions League meeting with Manchester United.
"Ademola isn't at the level he wants or we want, but he works hard every day," said the Atletico Madrid head coach.
The Atletico manager pointed to Lookman's dribbling as a quality that can still trouble defenders.
"He's a dribbler, and he needs to lose the ball sometimes," Simeone said.
Simeone also made clear that he continues to trust the Nigerian despite his current performances.
"I believe in him," Simeone said.
Lookman's season so far
Lookman joined Atletico from Atalanta during the winter transfer window last season and made an immediate impact.
Reports from Afrik Foot and PUNCH noted he scored nine goals and provided four assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.
That form helped Atletico reach the Copa del Rey final and the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season.
This season, the 28-year-old has struggled after moving into different attacking roles at Atletico.
He has not consistently played from his preferred left-wing position, and the club's tactical demands require greater defensive contribution.
Lookman's only league goal this season came in Atletico's 3-1 win over Sevilla in August, when he played on the left side.
Simeone described the forward's dip as part of normal changes in a player's season.
"Every player goes through their own phases, obviously, I don't think there's a player who can maintain a level of 10 all the time," Simeone said.
The Atletico coach said Lookman has already shown the qualities expected from him and believes consistent work can help him return to his previous level.
"There's always a dip, and it's clear that Ademola Lookman is going through a phase where he's not performing as he'd like to and as we'd like to see him, because he's shown us what he's capable of, but he works every day to become that player, the dribbler," Simeone said.
Simeone urged Lookman to continue taking attacking risks.
"He needs to keep dribbling, he needs to lose the ball, he needs to keep pushing forward, because he'll do well, because he's got what it takes and because he's a goalscorer," Simeone said.
Atletico's Champions League task
Atletico entered the Manchester United match after losing their Champions League opener against Liverpool.
Simeone said his side need points in the Champions League format and must respond to the demands of the competition.
"We know the difficulties of this competition.
This format means you have to try to pick up points, whether at home or away, in the first match or the last.
We need points, just as every team that wants to stay in this competition does," Simeone said.
The Atletico manager assessed Manchester United as a team with strong pressing and attacking speed.
"I think, as I was saying after Saturday's match, we read the game very well.
We played well on Saturday and tomorrow (Tuesday) we'll be facing an opponent who apply great pressure in your half, very good pressure, very aggressive, very intense, with very precise movements to buy time when pressing high.
And they've got quick players, as David Hancko rightly pointed out; regardless of the results, which have mostly been draws for them so far this season, they're producing the same kind of performance they did last year.
It's Manchester United, a strong side, but we'll have to steer the match in a direction where we believe we can cause them problems," Simeone said.
Simeone also discussed midfielder Alex Baena, who has experienced a stronger run after injury problems affected his previous season.
"Alex Baena, on the other hand, comes from a different situation: a season marred by injuries, perhaps not as consistent as he would have liked in his first season," Simeone said.
Simeone continued that Baena's recent performances have reflected improved confidence and form within the squad.
"(He's since demonstrated) a world-class performance, confidence, assurance, a great run of form, and (I'm) trying to manage the best moments of each player for the good of the team," Simeone said.
