Akpom has been magical this season, and he owes it to his gaffer
Nigerian striker Chuba Akpom has praised Manchester United legend Michael Carrick for helping him improve his game since he became Middlesbrough coach Soccernet.ng reports.
Coming into the season, Akpom was just another unfulfilled striker who very little was expected of because of his poor antecedents.
The 27-year-old striker had never scored more than 12 goals in a season in his entire career, and he was just bidding his time before leaving Middlesbrough.
Akpom could have left the club last summer, but he just barely scraped through because Boro could not get a good offer.
However, with how the season has eventually turned out, the club would be happy that they did not let the in-form Nigerian leave.
Akpom has been the best striker in the Championship this season, scoring 28 goals in 36 appearances for Middlesbrough. Unfortunately, it is very unlikely that they will finish in the automatic Premier League promotion spots, they are set to play in the Playoffs.
The Nigerian striker is pleased with how he has performed this season, and he has stated that Carrick has been crucial to his remarkable form.
“Carrick has helped me massively,” Akpom told Metro Sport.
“I think he’s the manager I’ve been dreaming of my whole career.
“Honestly, he’s a pleasure to work with, I go out there and give 110 percent and I want to fight for the manager because he’s shown so much trust and confidence in me, and I really appreciate it.
“Immediately when he came in, he put me in the No.10 role and he just gave me the license to just roam around, you see on the pitch I’m just roaming right to left.
“He’s given me the freedom to just go out there and express myself, I appreciate that so much,” Akpom added.
The Nigerian striker would look to help Middlesbrough gain promotion to the Premier League. But if they do not succeed, it would be a tough task to keep hold of the former Arsenal man as the top-flight teams would be looking to swoop in.
