Akpom vows to get 'better and better' after struggles in career
Chuba Akpom has vowed to get “better and better” after revealing the heartbreak of being written off as a young footballer.
The Middlesbrough striker was the Championship’s leading scorer with 29 goals, and the division’s player of the year, but started last season lodging in a team mate’s spare room because then boss Chris Wilder didn’t fancy him.
Akpom is now hot property with Boro in a battle to renew his contract which has entered its final year, and the likes of Sheffield United, Lens and Ajax weighing up bids of £10m plus.
The 27-year-old had a remarkable season and said this week, as he recovered from injury that will keep him out of the clash with Coventry: “I think I'm going to get better and better. I've matured a lot as a person and as a footballer.
“Everyone thinks I clicked my fingers and had that season but it's years of unsuccessful loans, seasons when I haven't scored many goals. It's years of that, trying to find my best version of myself as a football player.
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“It's not just one season where the gaffer has come in and that has just magically happened, it's years of me working towards that.”
There is uncertainty over his Boro future now for a different reason… success. He added: “Last summer I was in a hotel at first because I didn't know if I was going to stay or leave. There isn't much stability.
“My good friend Uche (Ikpeazu) said I could stay with him in his three-bedroom house. He gave me a room.
“I have a little boy and they (family) were staying in London until I found out what I was doing. It is difficult for not just me but my family, not knowing where I'm going to be the next season.
“I just tried to stay as professional as I could. Like I said I've had a lot of ups and downs throughout my career so that was just another hurdle to get over. I got a chance and took it.
“It probably helped me because I didn't expect to start last season here, I didn't expect to be here, so when I went on the pitch I wasn't really expecting much from myself and I don't think the fans were expecting much. They were expecting me to leave. That took a lot of pressure off me.”
Akpom still has big hopes for Boro, who missed out on promotion through the play offs last season. “I get a lot of love from the fans and still feel at home at the training ground and in and around the club," he added.
“The team and club deserve promotion. Last season the gaffer came in and didn’t even have a full season but look at what he did. So imagine this season. We’ll see how it goes.
“Personally, every year there is a different target. To score 29 goals was fantastic. The main target for me is to just be the best version of myself. Whether that’s scoring 10, 15, 20 goals, or whatever it is.”
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