Don’t play Inaki Williams as a centre-forward – Arhinful tells Chris Hughton

Former Ghana international Augustine Arhinful has offered advice to the technical team of the Black Stars regarding striker Inaki Williams who has struggled to deliver for the national team since switching allegiance.

The Athletic Bilbao forward switched his nationality from Spain to Ghana last year and made the cut for the final 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup where he featured in all three matches.

However, he was unable to find the back of the net while leading the lines for Ghana. The drought has continued in subsequent games where he has failed to find the back of the net despite being offered a good amount of playing time.

The forward has however been in great form for Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish La Liga where he scored 10 goals in 36 appearances last season. He has also begun on a good note in the new season and has already registered two goals in five games including one scored over the weekend after returning from international duty with Ghana.

Inaki Williams’ problems for the Black Stars, according to Arhinful, are the result of the technical team’s incorrect assessment. He states that Inaki is rarely used as a center-forward at Bilbao, which is why he performs well at the club, but in Ghana, he is played out of position, which would not produce the ideal results if continued.

“The handlers of the national team should identify a proper position to play him because his club does not play him as a centre forward,” Arhinful told Graphic Sports.

“I wish Coach Chris Hughton had watched Inaki yesterday. Most of the time he plays from the right, or when his brother, Nico, is playing, they interchange positions from left to right,” Arhinful remarked.

“He is not receiving the necessary services in the Black Stars. I believe he is being played out of position because in Bilbao he plays from the flanks. He has never been the centre person to strike so the coach should identify where he can play and fit him,” Ahinful, who plied his trade in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal and Turkey, observed.