Put me on the bench: Akpom tells Ajax coach he's unhappy playing as a No. 10 or winger

Arsenal's Hale End Academy product Chuba Akpom has reportedly told Ajax Amsterdam coach Maurice Steijn he would prefer sitting on the bench, rather than being deployed as an attacking midfielder or right winger. 

According to ESPN journalist Cristian Willaer, via Sport Nieuws, there is dissatisfaction among the Ajax Amsterdam players, with Akpom and Georges Mikautadze telling Steijn that they are not happy.

Willaer added that Akpom asked the Ajax manager when he would get a chance in the team as a striker. 

The Super Eagles hopeful has not hit the heights expected of him in his first two months as an Ajax player following his move from Middlesbrough, with no goals in four appearances. 

On his starting debut for Ajax Amsterdam in their Eredivisie clash against Twente Enschede, Akpom was deployed as a right winger in a 4-3-3 formation, which  should be his least preferred position in a front three. 

In Saturday's abandoned clash with RKC Waalwijk, Brian Brobbey was chosen to lead the line and Akpom was on the bench. 

Despite the Arsenal-reared player having more than four years left on his contract, there's a dark cloud over his Ajax future given that Sven Mislintat, who recommended his signing, was recently fired from his role as Director of Football. 

Akpom had a breakout 2022-2023 season, scoring 29 goals in 42 games across all competitions which earned him a move to the four-time European champions. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: ajax.nl

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