Chuba Akpom Not Bothered About His Backup Role At Ajax

Ajax’s new striker, Chuba Akpom, has noted that he doesn’t mind starting games from the bench even though his goalscoring form has improved in recent games.

Chuba Akpom confirmed that his form at Middleborough last season was not a fluke by scoring from the bench in Ajax’s 2-2 draw with Almere City on Sunday.

In Ajax’s last three games, Akpom has scored four goals as he continues to help the struggling team to return to prominence.

In the three games the English-born Nigerian player played from the bench so far this season, he averages 44 minutes and averages a goal every eleven minutes.

After coach Maurice Steijn left Ajax earlier this season, Akpom admitted that he had a new start under John van Schip. However, the player hasn’t yet established himself as a starter under the new manager, who prefers to start Georges Mikautadze ahead of the Nigerian star.

“I am a professional and must respect the trainer’s choice. I knew that if I was going to get an opportunity, I would give 100 percent. I was ready. You influence what you influence. The other things are just distractions. I just think about how I can help the team when I get on the field,” Akpom said via Voetbal International.

He added, “This feeling reminds me of last season, yes. I haven’t even shown fifty percent of my potential yet. I’m warming up and I’m sure I can be a success for Ajax”.

Recall that last season, the 27-year-old striker scored 28 goals to finish the season as the English Championship’s highest goalscorer and best player of the season at Middleborough.