Akor Adams breathes new life into Sevilla's attack with goalscoring return
Nigerian forward Akor Adams has transformed Sevilla's fortunes since returning from AFCON, ending their scoring drought and delivering crucial points.
Sevilla’s season was going down the khazi until Akor Adams returned from international duty and sparked an immediate revival in their attacking fortunes.
The Nigerian saviour
It’s no coincidence that Sevilla suffered four consecutive defeats without finding the net while Adams was away representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations. The 24-year-old forward has wasted no time making his presence felt since his return to Spanish soil:
- Scored both goals in the 2-2 draw against Elche
- Converted the decisive penalty in the 1-0 victory over Athletic Club
- Contributed four goals and one assist in his last three league appearances
The Nigerian international had already shown his quality before departing for AFCON, participating in three of Sevilla’s four goals in their victory against Oviedo. While with Nigeria, he maintained that form, playing seven matches (six as a starter) and registering two goals and two assists as his country secured third place.
Elite company
The numbers tell a compelling story about Adams’ importance to this Sevilla side. He’s currently the third-most prolific shooter in La Liga (per 90 minutes) with 1.82 shots on target, trailing only Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé who are tied at 2.31.
No Sevilla player had managed four goals and an assist in three consecutive league games since Lucas Ocampos’ five-match scoring run back in 2020. Adams has also contributed directly to 13 points this season, equaling Rubén Vargas as the most influential attacking player in the squad.
Partnership potential with Isaac
Perhaps the most intriguing development has been Matías Almeyda’s decision to pair Adams with Isaac Romero against Athletic Club. This tactical shift allowed the Spanish striker more freedom and removed the burden of being the lone attacking reference.
“It was their first game playing together and we had that depth and aggression, always very active,” Almeyda explained after the Athletic victory, clearly pleased with what he saw from the partnership.
Romero previously thrived alongside Youssef En-Nesyri in a two-striker system, suggesting this new combination could become a regular feature for Los Nervionenses.
With injuries to Alexis Sánchez and Rubén Vargas hampering Sevilla’s attacking options, Adams’ timely return has provided exactly what the doctor ordered. The forward’s commitment to rushing back from international duty speaks volumes about his character, and his manager has noted how he returned “oxygenated from experiencing a good moment” with Nigeria.
As Sevilla look to climb the table, they’ll be thanking their lucky stars that their Nigerian talisman is back and firing on all cylinders.