Super Eagles hopeful Chuba Akpom has revealed how tough it is adapting to his new role at Ajax Amsterdam.
The 29-year-old joined the Dutch giants in the summer of 2023, but has found the transition to Ajax to be anything but straightforward.
While naturally a central striker, he has been utilized in various roles this season under head coach Francesco Farioli, including attacking midfield, right-wing, and more recently, the left-wing.
The switch has presented significant challenges for English-born Nigerian.
How is Akpom adapting to winger role?
Akpom admitted that operating from the left wing has pushed him out of his comfort zone. “It has been difficult,” he said, as quoted by Ajax Showtime. “But I try to adapt. It is not natural for me to play on the side.
“The most difficult thing? I am simply used to being in the centre, I am a box player. That is where I want to come, be, score. That is my game. So that is quite different from now,” the striker revealed.
Despite his struggles, the former Super Eagles invitee has managed to score seven goals in 26 appearances this season, with most of his strikes coming from central positions.
“Even as a winger, I try to get into the penalty area as much as possible. But you are a winger, so you also have to be available on the sideline for the left back to pass to.
“I follow the instructions of the coach, but it is quite different from what I am used to. So that is quite difficult.”
Despite his positional discomfort, Akpom remains committed to contributing to the team’s success. “In the end, I prefer to play in an unnatural position than to sit on the bench, so I can’t complain,” he said.
