Chuba Akpom receives praise from ex-Ajax star Wim Kieft

Former Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven star, Willem Cornelis Nicolaas “Wim” Kieft has showered Chuba Akpom with praise for his goal-scoring ability.

The Nigeria international struggled on joining Ajax from Middlesborough in the summer but Kieft reckons that the striker is not on the same level as Brian Brobbey.

The 28-year-old was the best player in the English Championship last season, registering 28 goals in 38 appearances for Middlesbrough to help them to the playoff spots.

Despite his early struggle which has seen him not making the starting lineup, the Arsenal academy product has earned a reputation as a super-sub, with five goals in five appearances as a substitute.

Wim Kieft who was a member of the Netherlands squad that won the 1988 European Championship, said in his column for De Telegraaf, via Ajax Fansite, that Akpom has good positioning for goals.

“He is often in the right place, as has become apparent in recent weeks. He hits the target well.

“Yet you won’t easily see him playing together with Brobbey. He is much more complete as a striker, because Akpom’s football is all rather mediocre.

“It is nice for Ajax and Van ‘t Schip to have a striker like Akpom at hand as a crowbar. For Brobbey, such a competitor is also not a bad thing to keep him awake.”