FOR the bulk of his career, Chuba Akpom admits to feeling “confused”.
Akpom has always felt that he’s best suited to playing in a slightly deeper forward role. He enjoys collecting the ball to feet rather than playing on the shoulder of the defender, and likes drifting out to the flanks. And yet for years he was told by bosses that he’s a No.9.
That was until Michael Carrick arrived at Middlebrough, when suddenly for Akpom it clicked.
Carrick saw in Akpom what the former Arsenal forward saw in himself, and shifted the much-travelled attacker into the No.10 role. It’s proved to be one of the most inspired and important decisions Carrick has made since he took the Boro job.
“Throughout my career I’ve maybe been a bit confused,” admits Akpom, as he set about discussing his role in the Boro team.
“I like to come and get the ball, I like to drift wide and get involved, but I’ve been in teams where I’ve been told to stay up-front and be a No.9, so it’s like what do I do? I didn’t know what to do, to be honest.
“Whereas here, I’ve been told specifically that I should play No.10 and the gaffer has made me feel confident, so I’m glad I’m playing there and showing my strengths.”
In his 20 games under Carrick, Akpom has scored 18 times, a remarkable return that has seen him charge to the top of the Championship goal charts and become the first Boro player in 33 years to reach 20 league goals in a season.
Carrick, typically, plays down his decision when quizzed on the position switch, with the head coach saying he simply followed his instinct in using Akpom as a No.10 rather than as an out-and-out striker.
It isn’t Akpom alone that has turned Boro into a fearsome attacking force. There’s a good balance to Boro’s front four, with Riley McGree drifting around the pitch from the left and Marcus Forss taking extremely well to his new role on the right side.
Aaron Ramsey came into the team against Reading at the weekend and was outstanding, scoring twice, while Cameron Archer up-front has added a new dimension to the Boro attack.
After his January arrival from Aston Villa, Akpom quickly established an understanding with Archer.
“Every time I get the ball I’m looking for him,” said Akpom.
“I was trying to slide him in (against Reading) because I know what it’s like if you’re a striker and it’s 5-0 and you haven’t scored.
“I was looking to get Cam in. Even at Sheffield when he was on two goals, I wanted him to get his hat-trick. It’s all about the team. I know Cam would do the same for me. That’s what it’s about.”
Carrick has a wealth of options in attack. Forss and Isaiah Jones were substitutes against Reading, Matt Crooks would have been on the bench had he not been injured, while Rodrigo Muniz can’t even get in the matchday squad.
Akpom said: “It’s one thing having depth but another thing having good depth, good players that can come in and you don’t see the team unbalanced. We have unbelievable players on the bench ready to play when they’re chosen.”
Whoever plays in attack can feast on the deliveries of Ryan Giles, who tops the Championship assist charts with nine.
Akpom said: “He’s a top player, he has that quality, he knows how to whip a ball in, he’s fantastic.
“He got two assists (against Reading), it just shows the quality he has. Hopefully he can keep doing that.”
Akpom’s blistering form has led to yet another nomination for the PFA Vertu Motors Fans’ Player of the Month in the Championship.
The forward won the award in November and January and was nominated in December.
He’s up against Burney’s Nathan Tella, Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres, Millwall’s Tom Bradshaw, Tom Ince of Reading and Swansea’s Joel Piroe for the February prize.
Adapted from The Northern Echo
