‘He trains hard’ – Atalanta star backs Chuba Akpom as Lille boss reveals preference for Canadian ace

Chuba Akpom’s promising start to life at Lille has been followed by a noticeable dip in game time, prompting questions about the striker’s role under manager Bruno Genesio, Soccernet.ng reports. 

The English forward joined LOSC on loan from Ajax during the winter transfer window and made an immediate impact, scoring on his Ligue 1 debut against Le Havre and impressing in his first start against Rennes.

However, his influence has since waned, with Chuba Akpom featuring mostly from the bench and averaging just 15 minutes per game over the past two months.

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What has been said of Chuba Akpom?

Explaining the striker’s limited involvement, Lille boss Genesio insists Canadian forward Jonathan David is ahead of Akpom on the pecking order.

“It’s simply a sporting choice between him and Jona (Jonathan David),” Genesio told reporters as per Le11.

“It’s in relation to what I see in training. We also combined them once against Monaco and we won. There is not much to say about his integration. Now, I don’t usually go into detail about what I expect more from one player or another in press conferences.”

Despite his reduced minutes, Akpom’s attitude and work ethic remain unaffected, according to Lille teammate Mitchel Bakker.

“He’s a great guy, always smiling, who creates a good dynamic in the dressing room,” said the Dutchman, who is on loan from Atalanta.

“He also trains hard. He’s in a period where he’s not playing a lot, but he’s really giving his all to prove that he’s a great player. I’m sure he’ll score some goals that will count.”

Since joining Lille on 2 February 2025, Akpom has made eight Ligue 1 appearances, starting three times and coming off the bench in five matches. He last featured in the league on 5 April, playing 19 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Lyon.

The 29-year-old has scored twice in the French top flight — his debut strike against Le Havre and a late goal in Lille’s 2-0 win over Rennes on 16 February.

Akpom arrived at Lille with a strong reputation after scoring 11 goals in 25 Eredivisie matches for Ajax last season. He joined the Dutch club from Middlesbrough in August 2023, recording 14 goals and four assists in 41 league outings.

Lille travel to face Toulouse in their next Ligue 1 fixture on 12 April, and Akpom will be hoping for another chance to prove his worth.