Etim Esin warned that Ademola Lookman alone cannot fill the Super Eagles' longstanding void for a genuine number 10. Speaking on the Play Zone Podcast, the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale midfielder said Nigeria still needs a classic creative midfielder in the vein of himself, Henry Nwosu and Jay‑Jay Okocha.
Esin acknowledged Lookman's club performances but argued the English‑based forward has yet to translate that influence into the national side. "I think we are still looking for that creative talented midfield player," he said. "Lookman comes into that but but not really for Nigeria… For his club, he does that very well but when it comes to Nigeria, I think we still need that creativity in the middle of the park."
He described the ideal playmaker as the "architect and magician" who can dictate tempo, carve chances and unsettle opponents even without scoring. "He makes things happen. Even if he does not score, he can lay an assist and make things happen in the game. If you have that in your squad, you will have the confidence," Esin added.
According to the former star, a player of that calibre draws multiple defenders, creating space for teammates. "Number ten like me, Henry Nwosu, Jay‑Jay Okocha, if we are with the ball the opponent will be intimidated," he explained.
Lookman, who debuted for Nigeria in a goalless draw against Ghana in March 2025, has recorded 11 goals and 10 assists in 43 caps, yet Esin believes the team still lacks the midfield magician required to unlock defenses.
It is surprising that a player who has already contributed 11 goals and 10 assists for the Super Eagles is still deemed insufficient to solve the creative midfield dilemma.
Esin's critique points to a tactical gap: Nigeria possesses a finisher in Lookman but lacks a dedicated orchestrator who can pull defenders out of position. Without such a conduit, the team may continue to rely on individual brilliance rather than systematic chance creation, limiting its ability to break down organized defenses.
For Nigerian supporters, the discussion underscores the urgency of developing home‑grown playmakers who can complement Lookman's attacking thrust. While the forward's numbers are impressive, the absence of a true number 10 could hinder the Super Eagles' progress in upcoming qualifiers and tournaments.
The next test will be the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, where the coaching staff's decision on whether to deploy a dedicated midfield architect will be closely examined.
