Ligue 1: Montpellier boss Der Zakarian in awe of Akor’s quality

<p>Montpellier manager, Michel Der Zakarian says he is surprised with Jerome Akor’s immediate impact at the club.</p>, <p>The Nigerian striker linked up with La Paillade from Norwegian club, Lillestrom in the summer.</p>, <p>The 23-year-old has however settled down well in his new vicinity, churning out impressive performances for the former Ligue 1 champions.</p>, <p>Akor has already scored seven goals in 11 outings for Montpellier.</p>, <p>Only Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe has scored more goals than him in the French top-flight this season.</p>, <p>“I’m surprised what he’s doing. In a championship, which is not easy, he quickly adapted. Scoring goals and creating chances as he does is very good,” Der Zakarian told Allez Paillade.</p>, <p>“He makes good sequences, decisions, technical gestures and he likes to work. I don’t know if it’s a crack but he scored 24 goals in 2023.”</p>, <p>Despite Akor’s remarkable start to life in Norway, Der Zakarian believes there are some areas the former Flying Eagles striker needs to improve.</p>, <p>“He can still make much progress. With his size, he can do better in the air, both in timing and mobility. His hold-up play is impressive, and his consistency. He repeats high-intensity runs, It’s surprising,” the former Nantes manager added.</p>