One To Watch
Clément Akpa: Auxerre's secret weapon
Winners of three of four and comfortably mid-table despite a minimal outlay in the summer, Auxerre have quietly been one of the season's success stories. Learn more about up-and-coming defender Clément Akpa, who recently made his debut for Côte d'Ivoire, in our latest profile.
Slow and steady progress
Born in the Parisian suburb of Meudon, Akpa came through the academy of FC Metz before joining Auxerre in the summer of 2021. After working in the reserves, he joined Orléans, then playing in the third-tier National, on loan for a season before becoming more of a fixture last season, helping the eastern side finish top of Ligue 2 and earn promotion back to Ligue 1. While played most often as a left back on loan and last season, in the current campaign he's been deployed more often as a centre back, offering a ball-playing complement to the more physical and aerially dominant duo of Jubal and Gabriel Osho in Christophe Pélissier's three man defence.
Blessed with a wiry strength, Akpa's play on the left side of defence dovetails well with the dynamism of Gideon Mensah, the pair's hard work allowing the team's attackers greater freedom. Not one to suffer fools given his reputation for success on limited means, Pélissier has also been unstinting in his praise of Akpa, underscoring both his surprising ascent and his mental acuity.
"He's a player who works a lot, having made very good and quick progress. At the beginning of this season, I did not think he would be one of the most used players. His qualities, playing with a lot of dynamism and speed, have allowed him to develop fully in this system. He asks a lot of questions about the game and what he needs to do to move forward. Being a very young father has given him a great sense of responsibility. ”
A first call-up
The tradition of talented defenders playing for Côte d'Ivoire is a strong one -- the likes of Kolo Touré, Serge Aurier, Siaka Tiené and Arthur Boka all earned more than eighty caps for Les Éléphants. In the most recent international break, Akpa joined the side for the first time, coming off the bench to help his country keep a pair of clean sheets against Burundi and the Gambia.
Having already been called up for the U-23s, he was thrilled to make his senior debut, and will no doubt be eager to build on that as Auxerre bid to play spoiler against Olympique Lyonnais to conclude Matchday 29 on Sunday evening.
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