Clément Akpa says he has a point to prove after last Ligue 1 season | OneFootball

Clément Akpa says he has a point to prove after last season’s struggles and is intent on rebounding with AJ Auxerre. L'Équipe reports that the Ivorian set out his determination on Friday.

The defender has completed all four Ligue 1 matches this season for AJA, totalling 360 minutes. His return to left centre-back in a back three during last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Nice could aid that revival.

Will Still said the 3-4-2-1 used against Nice suits Akpa’s profile. The 24-year-old, a left-footed Ivorian international with five caps, missed the World Cup with Ivory Coast because of an adductor injury despite being selected. Auxerre are 15th in Ligue 1.

Last season was far trickier, with 26 appearances, including 21 starts, mostly in a two-man partnership under Christophe Pelissier, as in the previous campaign. Akpa said he wants to leave the best possible image at AJA, accepted the year was complicated, and felt the experience helped him grow, even if it was new to him.

Still added that standards are high for Akpa, who has plenty to improve, with video work and regular discussions part of the plan. He believes Akpa is reaching an age to take on responsibility and that the player is open and eager to learn. The immediate target is to follow up against Brest on Sunday at 15:00, on matchday five.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”