Akor Adams Scout Report
Akor Adams, the 24-year-old Nigerian forward playing for Montpellier in France's Ligue 1, embodies the quintessential goalscorer's paradox. His capacity to threaten the goal is impressive, as evidenced by his percentile rankings in goal threat at 78.125%, xG per 90 at 71.88%, and a whopping 84.38% in shots per 90. Whether it's a calculated attempt or a half-chance in the box, you can count on Adams to have a crack at it.
However, when left to his own devices and put under the rigours of the game's other demands, he appears less convincing. This is most noticeable in his strikingly low percentile scores for goal efficiency and ball retention, both at a frugal 3.125%, and pass accuracy per 90 at a mere 6.25%. These stats indicate that Adams may lean too heavily on his predatory instincts, sometimes to the detriment of his team's overall ball conservation and scoring efficiency. His numbers in chance creation and assists per 90, while not abysmal, still leave much to be desired from a frontline player in a top-flight league.
Although he has a reasonable handle when it comes to ball recovery and progressive carrying, his contribution to progressive passing is disappointing at 9.375%. That said, for a striker, Adams' scoreboard impact cannot be ignored. He is, after all, paid to put the ball in the back of the net, and he demands attention in this aspect. His performance against his peers in the 2023-2024 season of Ligue 1 marks him as a compelling prospect within the cadre of young Nigerian talents plying their trade in Europe. Still, to mature into a more rounded attacker, Adams needs to work on his technical skills and game intelligence.