Ipswich hijacked Birmingham City’s attempt to recruit Chuba Akpom. (Image: PA.) It was a legitimate transfer saga. Chuba Akpom was poised to sign with Birmingham City.

Then, only four days before the start of the new season, Ipswich Town hijacked the agreement.

The two clubs also happened to face each other on opening night. “It was quite entertaining for you guys (the media)!” Akpom exclaims. “But for me, it was all mental. Up and down the freeway, in hotel rooms, trying not to be noticed by others. People tried to take pictures of me and such.

“I don’t want to get DMs from my friends showing me blogs that say ‘Chuba’s going Birmingham, Chuba’s going Ipswich.'” But that is exactly what was happening.

“Look, it’s no secret that there have been numerous leaks, and I was on the verge of joining Birmingham. “I had interest from the Premier League and other top divisions, but once I decided I wanted to return to the Championship, I was set on Ipswich.”

I was very positive that if they wanted me, I would go there. “Fortunately, they arrived at the last moment. I was relieved to be able to focus solely on football once everything was signed and done.”

The 29-year-old explains why he selected newly relegated Ipswich over newly promoted Birmingham, both of whom were pre-season promotion favourites:

“That’s the primary reason is that I believed the climate would just be great for me at Ipswich. The style of play, the players, and what the manager wants me to do. I think the way the squad is structured is ideal for me, and I believe I’ll thrive this season once I get going.”

Chuba Akpom chatted with his former Middlesbrough boss, Michael Carrick, about working with Kieran McKenna. (Image: PA.) Akpom was able to gain some insight into Ipswich from some old Middlebrough teammates.

Former Town captain Sam Morsy praised him, and Michael Carrick encouraged him to work with his former Manchester United teammate Kieran McKenna. “I did,” Akpom says when asked if he called Carrick, the man who oversaw his 28-goal Championship Golden Boot winning season on Teeside in 2022/23.

“They (Carrick and McKenna) play similarly and are two excellent conversationalists. “The most important element for me is learning. I’m 29, yet as I get older, I feel like I’m learning more.

Michael Carrick taught me so much during our time together. With the gaffer here, I’m already picking up small bits. “I just want to improve as much as possible.”

Chuba Akpom won the Championship Golden Boot season 2022/23, scoring 28 league goals for Middlesbrough. (Image: PA.)

Akpom appeared four times for Arsenal over a five-year stint that included loans to Brentford, Coventry, Nottingham Forest, Hull, Brighton, and, lastly, Belgian club Sint-Truiden.

A two-year loan spell at Greek club PAOK Salonika preceded his move to Middlesbrough, but it wasn’t until a year back on loan at PAOK that he really came into his own for the North East club. After scoring 28 goals, the former England U21 international joined Ajax for €12.3 million.

Akpom scored 14 goals in his rookie season, but the Dutch giants ended fifth in the table and were eliminated from the Europa League at the group stage.

“I think we had the worst start in Ajax history, or something like that,” the frontman recalls. “It’s a shame, since I believe I did fairly well.

Despite my limited playing time, I always played out of position on the right or left, and mostly from the bench, and I still scored some goals. “It was nevertheless an incredible experience to play for such a renowned club. I wouldn’t want to go back and change anything.

“I do hope Ajax get back to where they deserve to be, winning championships and doing well in Europe.”

Chuba Akpom has made two substitute appearances and one start for Town thus far. (Image: Steve Waller).

Akpom was loaned to French club Lille for the second part of last season, where he got a taste of Champions League action by coming off the bench in a close Round of 16 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

“Those period away have undoubtedly shaped me,” he asserts.” “Isn’t it a huge responsibility? Going abroad, playing, and having to adjust to other cultures, styles of play. It’s merely contributed to my experience, and I intend to bring what I’ve learnt to Ipswich.

“It’s not only me. There are numerous other players here who have competed in the Premier League or other European leagues.

If we can combine all of it into one, I believe we will do exceptionally well this season. “That season at Middlesbrough kind of triggered something in me.

Now I know what I’m capable of and how to maximise my potential. My experiences at Ajax and Lille have undoubtedly improved my game. It’s all about getting 100% match fit and finding rhythm.”

Chuba Akpom believes he is regaining his groove at Ipswich Town following a rocky pre-season. (Image by Ross Halls) The preparations for this season were not perfect.

He joined Ipswich shortly after the season began and had no prior pre-season experience. As a result, he was eased into the game with substitute appearances against Preston and Derby before starting last Friday night’s 5-0 victory over Sheffield United.

“You know how football goes. When asked about the summer’s disruption, he responds, “There’s a lot of politics.” “At Ajax, I was a member of the ‘bomb squad’. There were seven or eight of us shoved to the side and forced to train on our own.

“In my first session here, I was thinking, ‘woah, everyone’s flying! However, the foreign break was extremely beneficial to me, as I used it to push myself, get active, and feel much better than I did before. Day by day, week by week, I feel like I’m becoming stronger.

“I moved into the first property that I viewed since I know how it feels to be in motels for weeks after attending so many clubs. I really wanted to get situated as quickly as possible. “Everyone here has been so welcoming. Players, staff, and everyone.

Knowing that I hadn’t had much of a pre-season, the staff has been fantastic at handling me and gradually bringing me back into the team. I am grateful for that.”

Akpom has emphasised his position in teams on several occasions. Where does he consider himself as being most effective?

Chuba Akpom competes for the ball against Derby. (Image: Steve Waller). “I think the gaffer sees me as quite a versatile player,” he says.

“At Ajax, as I mentioned, I played both left and right wing. I can also play as a No. 9, but I believe my best position is as a second striker.

Behind the striker, linking up play, advancing deep into the box, and simply sniffing out excellent gaps and possibilities to inflict some damage.” That’s where Akpom did his damage for Middlesbrough during a season in which they soared up the table to fourth place before losing to Coventry in the play-off semi-finals.

How does he think this Ipswich bunch compares to that one? “I’d say this squad, on paper, is definitely better,” the captain responds. “We have incredible players and a wonderful management, but you need more than that.

To prosper at any level, you must put in a lot of effort, collaborate with others, and work as a team. “Look at PSG when they had Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe; they did not win the Champions League.” It is about everyone sacrificing themselves for the team. If we have that on top of our talent, we should do well.

He goes on: “I believe we really needed the international break. The manager has ingrained in us the style he wants to play and how he intends to use all of the new players. It’s time to get started now. “Every team we play against has something to prove.

Consider how Derby tackled it. We’ll see a lot of that this season. It’s all about adapting and accepting that no game will be simple. “Obviously, we lost Chappers (Conor Chaplin), who was a huge part of the changing room, but you still have players who have been around for a while, like Wes Burns and Clarkey (Harry Clarke).

“I’m not a vocal person who will scream and shout, but if something needs to be stated, I will speak up.

Most importantly, you want to lead on the pitch by pushing, winning headers, and generally doing everything. “Taking responsibility on the pitch is how I try to lead.” He adds, “Isn’t it a new time? It’s time for new players to step forward.

Like me, Jens (Cajuste), and Azor (Matusiwa). It’s vital for us to stand up and help the team gel as soon as possible because there isn’t time to squander. “There are no more excuses. We want to produce and win games.

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