Middlesbrough striker Chuba Akpom has credited manager Michael Carrick for his new Championship record, having scored in nine consecutive Championship home games. Akpom, who has been with Boro since October last year, expressed his gratitude to Carrick, saying he is the manager he has been dreaming of his entire career.
The 27-year-old said: ‘I’m enjoying it, I’m just playing with a smile on my face, I can’t complain, I’m loving it at the moment. Massively, massively [I owe him], I think he’s the manager I’ve been dreaming of my whole career. Honestly, he’s a pleasure to work with, I go out there and give 110 per cent and I want to fight for the manager because he’s showed so much trust and confidence in me, and I really appreciate it, so I just had to dedicate that to the gaffer today.’
Akpom went on to say that Carrick has given him the freedom to express himself on the pitch, allowing him to roam from right to left. The former Arsenal forward’s goalscoring record has moved Boro closer to a place in the Championship play-offs.