Akor Adams: The Resurgence of Sevilla’s Offensive Power

omidbasir- Akor Adams has returned to Sevilla at a critical moment, contributing decisively to the rejuvenation of the team’s confidence within less than a week. Notably, the squad experienced four consecutive defeats during his absence, failing to score a single goal. With injuries to Alexis Sánchez and Rubén Vargas, alongside Isaac Romero’s poor scoring form, the attacking options for the team were severely limited. However, Adams has managed to turn the tide just in time with his goals.

In his last appearance with Sevilla in 2025, Adams showcased an impressive performance, being involved in three out of four goals in the victory against Oviedo. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Nigerian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations, where he played a significant role in leading Nigeria to a commendable third-place finish in the tournament. Throughout the competition, he participated in seven matches—equaling Moses Simon for the most appearances—starting six of them and contributing with two goals and two assists. In the meantime, Sevilla felt his absence profoundly.

Adams’s success with Nigeria stood in stark contrast to Sevilla’s struggles during that period, prompting him to expedite his return to the club, demonstrating his commitment to the team. Coach Matías Almeyda noted, “Akor Adams and Ejuke came back invigorated from their good experiences, and it shows on their faces.” Following a demanding 120 minutes just days before, Adams made his comeback against Elche and scored both goals in the draw; he also converted the penalty that secured victory against Athletic last Saturday. His return has proven vital, earning the team four crucial points.

In his last three league matches, Adams has accumulated four goals and one assist—an achievement not seen at Sevilla since 2020 when Lucas Ocampos scored in five consecutive games. Furthermore, he has matched Rubén Vargas as the player who has contributed the most points through offensive actions, tallying 13 points. Whenever the Nigerian scores, Sevilla secures points, and his overall record across all competitions now stands at six goals and three assists in 17 matches.

During the matches against Elche and Athletic, Akor confirmed that he has returned with exceptional precision, registering six shots on target across both games. Currently, he ranks as the third player in La Liga for shots on goal per 90 minutes (1.82), trailing only Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappé, who are tied at 2.31.

Interestingly, the player who may benefit the most from Akor Adams’s return is Isaac Romero. In the recent match against Athletic, Matías Almeyda opted to field both strikers together for the first time, allowing Romero greater freedom of movement. This alleviated the pressure on him as the sole offensive reference, enabling him to assist the team in various aspects of play. It is worth noting that he previously reached peak performance when partnered with Youssef En-Nesyri, suggesting that this formation could become a frequent strategy.

“It was the first match they played together, and we had that depth and aggressiveness, always being very active. The players’ interpretation was excellent, and their combined effort provides the relief needed during long balls or lateral plays,” Almeyda explained in the post-match press conference following the victory against Athletic. After experiencing his most challenging month since joining Sevilla, the Argentine coach has found in Akor a much-needed offensive leader for the team.