In the span of just a few weeks, Jordan Ayew has managed to embody the extremes of football, triumph on the international stage and struggle at the club level.
It’s almost as if the 33 year-old Ghanaian forward is living in two different worlds. One where he soars like a captain leading his nation, and another where he battles to stay afloat in a sinking club ship.
During the March international break, Ayew wore the armband for the Black Stars and led by example. Ghana bulldozed their way to two emphatic victories, 5-0 against Chad and 3-0 over Madagascar in the CAF World Cup Qualifiers.
Ayew contributed directly to four of those eight goals, with three assists and a goal of his own. His tally now stands at five goals and four assists in the qualifiers, making him the second top scorer, trailing only behind Egypt’s talisman Mohamed Salah, who has six goals and three assists.
His performances earned plaudits not just for the numbers, but for the leadership and energy he brought to the side. Ayew, once a player criticized for inconsistency, is now becoming a symbol of reliability in Ghana’s forward line.
But back in England, it’s a different story.
After a summer move from Crystal Palace to newly-promoted Leicester City, the script has flipped for Ayew. What was supposed to be a fresh chapter has turned into a nightmare. The Foxes sit 19th in the Premier League with just 17 points from 31 games. Their form has been woeful, going winless in their last 15 matches, a run that has dragged them dangerously close to relegation.
Ayew, like many of his teammates, has struggled to make an impact. In 30 appearances, he’s managed just four goals and a solitary assist. More worryingly, he has failed to score or assist in any of his last 15 club matches, mirroring the team’s overall drought.
It’s a puzzling dichotomy: Ayew shines brightly when he dons the national colors, but that light dims significantly in the blue of Leicester. Some attribute this to the systems and roles he’s played in, thriving with more freedom and trust in the Ghanaian setup, while looking stifled and isolated at Leicester. Others point to confidence, rhythm, and the weight of a struggling team pulling individuals down with it.
Whatever the reason, the contrast is glaring.
For now, Jordan Ayew must navigate this emotional and professional tightrope. The pride and momentum from his international success could be the fuel he needs to reignite his form at club level. With just seven games left to rescue Leicester’s season, Ayew will need to channel his Black Stars brilliance into Premier League survival.
Because in football, as in life, balance matters, and for Ayew, finding harmony between his two realities could be the defining challenge of his career.