Second chance for Chuba Akpom to shine?
CHRIS Wilder has left the door open for Chuba Akpom to have a second opportunity to shine at Middlesbrough.
An underwhelming debut campaign in 2020-21 saw the striker sent on loan to former club PAOK Thessaloniki last season.
The Arsenal academy graduate bagged seven league goals as PAOK finished second in the Super League.
With Middlesbrough embroiled in a striker crisis, Wilder gave Akpom a second-half cameo during the 2-0 win against Marseille.
It is no secret Boro are hunting a goalscorer to bolster their promotion chances.
Despite brushing aside the Ligue 1 runners-up on Friday, the Teessiders – at times – evidently lacked a focal point to lead the line. Speaking post-match, Wilder insisted there was “no downside” to assessing Akpom in pre-season.
“You’ve seen the numbers in the squad,” he said.
“We are trying incredibly hard to do some deals and Chuba has actually been good.
“He joined the group for the last couple of days and there’s no downside for him coming on, running about and playing a part.
“He’s contracted to the football club, he understands where we are at and I understand where he’s at.
“So I would just take it day by day and then just go from there.”
The Boro boss also confirmed his interest in former Stoke City defender Tommy Smith – who has been training with the club during pre-season.
Derby County are also understood to be interested in the 30-year-old after his release by the Potteries last month.
“Yeah, we’re having a chat,” Wilder added. “I’ll have a chat with Tommy over the next 24, 48 hours and see where that is. He’s got a couple of clubs who are interested in him. He’d like to come here but it has to be right for Tommy as much as it is for us. So we’ll see where that goes.”
There’s no downside for him [Akpom] coming on, running about and
playing a part.
Chris Wilder