Manager of Ajax Amsterdam Francesco Farioli commended the remarkable work ethic of Nigerian prospect Chuba Akpom.
In their final four league games of the new season, the Hale End Academy product has failed to reach the back of the net, but Farioli still has faith in him.
Reports connected the 28-year-old former Arsenal player to a move back to England, giving rise to transfer intrigues around him.
Before the start of the 2023/24 season, Akpom admitted that he was unsure of his future at the Johan Cruyff Arena, but the Italian football tactician managed to keep the player for his second season at the club.
Speaking at a press conference before their Europa League third qualifying round, second leg clash against Panathinaikos, Farioli spoke highly of Akpom, harping on his incredible work ethic.
“Yes, everything comes together. The mentality, the spirit, the attention to detail,” the Italian manager stated.
“One of the players sitting next to me is an example of that: Berghuis. If you watch the last two games, you see that he scores an important goal, but you also see that he defends—that is more difficult to see—like a fullback or centre-back. The energy in the sprint forward and backwards is what we need.”We need players with his (Berghuis) character and personality to be an example on the pitch.
“The fact that we concede less is thanks to the last line, but also to the attackers who sacrifice themselves.
“That also applies to Chuba; the work he does for the team is incredible. That is something that is not relevant to you (to a reporter), but for me it is priceless.”
Akpom had an excellent 2022/23 season with Middlesborough, where he scored 28 league goals in 38 matches and almost guided them back to the Premier League.
He went on to become one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe but eventually joined Ajax for a fee believed to be in the region of €12m.
After a difficult start in Amsterdam, Akpom showed glimpses of his brilliance, netting 15 goals and registering three assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.
He will hope to reward his manager’s faith in him as the season progresses.
Akpom has four years left on his running contract with Ajax, but the Dutch side will let him go for the right offers.
