Ajax boss Schip relishing Akpom-Brobbey strike partnership

Akpom has been superb for Ajax in their last two games, and he could form a strong partnership with Dutch youngster Brobbey

Ajax coach Van’t Schip is relishing the potential strike partnership of Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom and Dutch youngster Brian Brobbey, Soccernet reports.

Akpom arrived at Ajax from Middlesbrough in a deal worth €14million during the summer. However, he failed to pin down a starting shirt in his opening weeks despite getting the iconic number 10 jersey.

However, the 28-year-old has sparked to life since Maurice Steijn was sacked and Schip took over as Ajax boss. Akpom scored in Schip’s first game in charge of Ajax against Volendam. Then he followed up with a brace against Heerenveen in his second game in charge.

With Akpom’s recent brilliance, Schip may have to decide to bench the current first-choice Brobbey to give the Nigerian more playtime.

Nonetheless, the Ajax gaffer has stated that he is open to playing Brobbey and Akpom together.

“It’s very clearly visible. He [Akpom] wants to achieve something and show that he can be important,” Van’t Schip said per Ajax showtime.

“We want the group to come closer together. We want to give boys opportunities to show that they belong.

“Akpom and Brobbey can certainly be done together. Thanks to Brian’s[Brobbey] hard work, he (Akpom) can score. Brian demolishes a defense, and Akpom comes in when the spaces are larger.

“He has a good feeling for the spaces in front of the goal. But they can also play together. That is certainly an option.”

Ajax’s next game is a Europa League fixture against Brighton on Thursday, and Akpom could get his first start for the club.