Soccer
Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Akor Adams. Photo by Segun Ogunfeyitimi Copyright: xshengolpixsxIMAGO
Sevilla head coach Matías Almeyda has admitted he is considering a tactical rethink in a bid to squeeze more goals out of Akor Adams, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Argentine coach is open to moving away from his preferred one-striker system as he looks for ways to get his misfiring Sevilla among the goals again.
Adams has found life challenging since completing a permanent move from Montpellier to the Sánchez-Pizjuán last January.
Before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations in December, the Nigeria forward had managed just three goals and two assists in 14 La Liga appearances, numbers that did little to ease Sevilla’s growing attacking concerns.
Everything changed in Morocco, though. Under Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, Adams was deployed in a 4-4-2 diamond alongside Victor Osimhen, and the results were immediate.
The 24-year-old stretched defences, ran the channels relentlessly and linked superbly with the Galatasaray striker. In just five games, he scored twice, set up two more and had two goals ruled out, helping Nigeria reach the semi-finals before claiming the bronze medal.
That front line was a joy to watch for many observers, including Man City great Yaya Toure, and finished the tournament as the most prolific attack with 14 goals.
Adams has carried that confidence back to Spain, marking his return with a brace in Sevilla’s 2-2 draw away at Elche, a result that finally ended the club’s miserable start to 2026.
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Soccer Adams: Almeyda open to change as Sevilla search for spark
Next up is a daunting test at home to an Athletic Bilbao side fresh from a 3-2 Champions League win over Atalanta, and Almeyda knows points are urgently needed.
Sevilla’s problems in front of goal have forced him to reconsider his usual 3-4-3 shape, and the coach is now weighing up a partnership between Adams and Isaac Romero, much like Chelle’s Adams-Osimhen pairing.
Almeyda deployed Adams and Romero together when the chips were down against Elche, and he has hinted that both strikers could get more time on the pitch as partners.
“It’s always good when our striker scores,” Almeyda said as per Mucho Deporte, while referring to Adams.
“Both of them came into the match with renewed energy, fresh from a good run of form, and that shows on a player’s face. Akor had the first goal, after hitting the post earlier. The second was a great finish, and he showed commitment by taking the penalty. We might see them together, yes, now or later.”
Sevilla sit 15th in La Liga with just 21 points from 20 matches, having won six, drawn three and lost 11. They were ninth when Adams left for AFCON, but in his absence lost four straight games – three in the league and one in the Copa del Rey – without scoring once.
The draw at Elche was their first point of the year. A much-needed victory over Bilbao could be the first step in a long climb back up the table.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
A lifelong fan of Arsenal and the Super Eagles, Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng, where his journey as a journalist began more than six years ago. Since then, he has helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and guided it toward some of its proudest milestones.
With a background in Engineering and further training in journalism and digital media, Imhons brings both precision and passion to his storytelling. His love for football runs deep, but he also follows boxing, chess, and athletics with equal curiosity.
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