Ghana captain Jordan Ayew is still waiting for his first win as a Sheffield United player after the Blades suffered a third consecutive defeat with a 2-1 loss to Stoke City on Saturday.
The 35-year-old forward joined Sheffield United as a free agent two weeks ago after leaving Leicester City, but his arrival has so far coincided with a difficult period for the Championship club.
Ayew came on as a second-half substitute during the defeat at Stoke’s bet365 Stadium, but was unable to prevent Sheffield United from suffering another setback.
The Ghanaian is yet to record a shot on target since joining the club, underlining the limited impact he has been able to make in attack during his opening matches.
His move to Sheffield United came after he had not had a conventional pre-season, apart from taking part in matches with other semi-retired and retired players in Accra and other towns. The transfer offered the experienced forward another opportunity in English football, but he has yet to taste victory with his new side.
Ayew was an unused substitute when Sheffield United beat Charlton Athletic 2-1. Since then, the Blades have lost four matches in different competitions, with Ayew featuring as a substitute in three of those games.
Sheffield United were beaten 1-0 at home by Wolverhampton before suffering a 1-0 defeat away to League Two side Fleetwood Town in the EFL Cup. Their latest setback came against Stoke, where they lost 2-1.
Ayew’s involvement in those matches has so far been restricted to second-half appearances, leaving him still waiting for an opportunity to make a significant contribution from the start.
The former Leicester forward will now have the international break to regroup before Sheffield United return to action.
The club are seeking to improve their fortunes and revive their Premier League qualification campaign, while pressure is mounting on manager Chris Wilder to change the team’s results.
For Ayew, the priority will be to adapt to his new surroundings and provide greater attacking influence when domestic football resumes.
The Ghana captain has extensive experience of major international tournaments and will now turn his attention to national-team duty.
Ayew has been included in Ghana’s 24-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Cote D’ivoire and Gambia. He is also set to be involved in Ghana’s international friendly against Morocco on 4 October.
The international fixtures will give Ayew an opportunity to maintain his involvement at national-team level while he continues adjusting to life at Sheffield United.
After his move from Leicester, the experienced forward arrived at the Blades looking to extend his career in English football. However, his opening weeks have been marked by defeats and a lack of attacking statistics.
Sheffield United will hope the period after the international break brings an improvement in results, with Ayew also looking to contribute more in front of goal and help the club end their difficult run.
