Akor Adams: Montpellier’s Nigerian Target Man
Club: Montpellier
Nationality: Nigeria
Position: ST
Preferred Foot: Right
Height: 6’3”/190cm
Age: 23
Strengths: finishing, ball-striking, heading, pace, power, strength, athleticism
From Victor Osimhen to Taiwo Awoniyi to Kelechi Iheanacho to Gift Orban to Victor Boniface, few countries can compare to Nigeria when it comes to producing center forwards, and the latest striker who’s making a name for himself in Europe as Akor Adams. Last season at Lillestrøm, he scored 17 goals, 3 assists in 18 games. This season, he’s found the back of the net on seven occasions, second only to Kylian Mbappe in Ligue 1.
Akor Adams has great finishing ability on both feet and doesn’t hesitate when in front of goal, but he still has composure in one-on-one situations. Adams has great instincts as a ST, anticipating when the ball might ricochet to him or when a pass may arrive and positions himself optimally. His quick reactions allow him to have some great improvised instinctive finishes. He also presses defenders relentlessly to force errors and then capitalise on them with a deadly finish.
Adams has good ball-striking too and can break the net with his thunderous strikes on target. As a complete ST, Adams is very strong aerially. His heading ability is top quality but as an athlete of a player he can create a lots of power when jumping to win headers, and his athleticism also includes the fact he’s so agile for 6’3” & has quick feet which help when he wants to take on players.
Musa Al-Taamari became the first Jordanian player in Ligue 1 history when he joined Montpellier in May.
Since then, he’s emerged as a revelation for La Paillade with 3 goals and 3 assists in 13 matches.@Cerebrone on Montpellier’s Jordanian phenom: https://t.co/7PNeTLs5p9 pic.twitter.com/hZ0VMdKbNJ
— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) December 5, 2023
Like his compatriot Osimhen, Akor Adams is very quick and loves to use his pace to his advantage. He’ll run in behind a lot to stretch the defence and run onto through balls. His movement is top class and he even unselfishly runs the channels to open central spaces for teammates. Adams has a tall, powerful & athletic frame but has great core strength and balance to ride challenges and win duels. He tussles with CBs and is a nightmare for them all 90 minutes. He’ll run at them, bully them with his strength, press them intensively.
Montpellier underwent a busy summer with Sepe Elye Wahi moving to Lens for €30 million, whilst English winger Stephy Mavididi made the move to Leicester City for €7.5 million. Whilst Musa Al-Taamari has thrived in attack since arriving on a free transfer and replaced Mavididi with ease, Adams had bigger shoes to fill with Wahi leaving the Stade de la Mosson on the back of a 19-goal season for Montpellier. At a paltry fee of just €4.5 million, Adams may very well end up being one of the biggest bargains of the summer transfer window.
By: Ben Mattinson / @Ben_Mattinson_
Featured Image: FEP / Icon Sport