Chuba Akpom continues to fire Middlesbrough towards the Premier League with the former Arsenal striker breaking a 33-year-old club record during Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of Reading, as reported by Teesside Live.
The last time a Boro player scored 20 goals in a league season, Vogue by Madonna was sitting pretty in the UK Top 40, Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas was in production, and a fresh-faced Alan Smith was firing Arsenal to a fourth-place finish in the old First Division.
It’s remarkable, really, that Middlesbrough supporters have had to wait over three decades to see someone, anyone, match Bernie Slaven’s achievement from all the way back in 1989/90. Boro, in that time, have seen the likes of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Mark Viduka and Yakubu come and go. They have seen relegation, promotion, UEFA Cup finals and mid-table mediocrity in England’s second tier.
But it is only now, under the stewardship of Michael Carrick, that the legendary Slaven has some company in the annals of Riverside history. Akpom’s 24th minute penalty during Saturday’s thumping win over a beleaguered Reading took his tally to the magic number 20. Goal number 21 was not long in forthcoming either.
Former Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom firing Middlesbrough out of the Championship
Akpom has a long old way to go before he is considered for a statue alongside that of George Camsell, but the well-travelled centre-forward is well on his way to establishing himself as a modern-day icon, firing Middlesbrough back to the Premier League at last.
Boro are third. A play-off spot looked assured. But do not rule out Carrick’s side overhauling a stumbling Sheffield United in second.
“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 explains, Akpom thriving in something of a roving role of late.
“He’s in a great place. You can see that. When you’re confident, things come freely.”
Akpom’s tally is made all the more remarkable when you consider that the Arsenal academy graduate had never before hit double-figures in a league season. In fact, his greatest tally before this term was eight during his spell at Greek side PAOK back in 2019/20.
Maintain his current rate of progress, however, and Akpom may soon be making room on his mantelpiece for the Championship’s Golden Boot and a play-off winners’ medal.
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