What Neil Warnock told Chuba Akpom ahead of Middlesbrough move and why the striker is looking forward to playing with ex-Nottingham Forest team-mate

Akpom joined Boro from Greek side PAOK last week and watched from the stands as the Teessiders drew 1-1 with Bournemouth at the Riverside on Saturday.

The 24-year-old came through the ranks at Arsenal and was loaned out to several English clubs, including Hull, Nottingham Forest and Brighton, during his time with the Gunners.

Akpom played for Forest when Assombalonga was at the club, yet the new Boro captain was injured at the time.

“I was looking forward to it and I have the opportunity now to play alongside him now,” said Akpom when asked about Assombalonga.

“We are two different types of players but already I can see we are forming a little bit of a combination.

“I’m waiting for Fletch as he’s injured at the moment but it will be good for all of us to build a connection and an understanding between all of us.

“As a striker the worst thing is playing up front and not having the support around you when there’s a knock-down, but playing with two strikers you always feel like you have someone next to you. It’s definitely easier to play with two.”

Akpom left Arsenal to join PAOK in 2018 and feels the experience helped him develop both on and off the pitch.

“I think I left England as a boy and came back as a man. The experience of going abroad and living by yourself, my family was coming up here and there but in general I was living by myself.

“Getting used to a different culture, different traditions and getting used to new team-mates and new ways of playing, it’s just added new experiences for me. I definitely feel like I’ve grown.”

One of the main factors behind Akpom’s move to the Riverside was Boro boss Neil Warnock, who talked to the striker over the phone before the move.

Warnock has been self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 last week but spoke to his players via Zoom ahead of the match with Bournemouth.

“He’s amazing, everyone knows the gaffer is obsessed with promotions, he’s done it in the past and he can do it again,” said Akpom when asked about Warnock and his reasons for joining Boro.

“The first thing he said to me when he called me was he thinks he can make me a Premier League player and when a manager shows that belief in you it’s a no-brainer, it just convinced me straight away.

“A massive club like Boro, a manager who is willing to get the best from me, what more could you want?

“Before the game against Bournemouth he had a Zoom call with the boys and that just shows how much he wants to be there.

“He wants to have an impact on the team whether he’s there or not and I think that’s a good message for the boys that he is with them all the way.”

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