Before the start of this season, the most goals Chuba Akpom had ever registered in a single campaign was 10, during 2019/20 at PAOK in Greece.
Remarkably, the well-travelled centre-forward has scored more than that under Michael Carrick alone, just four months after the Manchester United legend was appointed at the Riverside. Akpom’s record under Carrick reads 18 games, 16 goals.
His tally for the whole of 2022/23, meanwhile, now stands at a round 20; Akpom reaching that particular landmark for the very first time with a typically clinical brace during Saturday’s 3-1 triumph over Queens Park Rangers.
It’s not just the number of goals but the variety of them. Akpom crashed a header into the back of QPR’s net before slamming home a penalty just 13 minutes later. The former Arsenal kid might have spent much of his time under Carrick as a mobile ‘number ten’, but these were two finishes straight out of the ‘number nine’ playbook.
Chuba Akpom in the form of his life at Middlesbrough
“I knew Chuba is talented. I just wanted him to play a position we felt suited him, that loose position where he’s not up against centre-backs,” Carrick explained after Akpom showcased another, more technical side of his game with a gorgeous dinked effort against Blackpool.
“He’s in a great place. You can see that. When you’re confident, things come freely.”
Confidence certainly isn’t a problem for Akpom right now. The London-born 27-year-old is threatening to run away with the Championship’s Golden Boot – five ahead of Coventry talisman Viktor Gyokeres. And, with Middlesbrough maintaining their remarkable run under Carrick, what initially resembled two-horse race for automatic promotion is starting to look intriguing to say the least. There are now just four points separating Boro in third from Sheffield United in second; the latter defeating the former on their own soil just last week.
“I feel like, this last year or two, I’ve probably developed the most in my career,” Akpom tells Sky Sports amid reported interest from Everton, Crystal Palace, Southampton and co (Daily Mail and TEAMtalk).
“I’ve shown a willingness to learn and improve my game. I feel hungrier than ever before. You’re never too old to learn and grow.
“I want to play in the Premier League. It’s where the best play and it’s a dream I’ve always had.”
Who knows, next season, Akpom could fulfil his ‘dream’ of Premier League football without even needing to change his postcode.
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