Looking back on the year 2023, Jordan Ayew openly discussed the spectrum of experiences, acknowledging the highs and lows that defined his performance.
As a key player for both his club and the national team, Ayew played pivotal roles throughout the year. His contributions were instrumental in securing the Black Stars' qualification for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast later this month.
Domestically, the 30-year-old played a substantial role in Crystal Palace maintaining their Premier League status.
Finishing the year as the Premier League's top dribbler, Ayew shared his reflections in an interview with the club website following Crystal Palace's 3-1 victory against Brentford. Describing the year as a blend of ups and downs, Ayew emphasized the team's ongoing improvement and expressed gratitude for the support from the coaching staff.
“It’s been a good year – ups and downs,” Ayew reflected. “I guess it’s normal because we have a young group, and this type of thing happens, but we are improving, and we have a good staff behind us, who are doing a good job."
Despite recent challenges, Ayew maintained an optimistic outlook and recognized the team's growth. He highlighted some unfortunate results in recent games but celebrated the team's resilience, stating, “We were unlucky the last four games. Apart from the City game where it was a good performance and we got a draw, I think the rest of the games we could have won… today we were rewarded. We were the better team.
Ayew extended congratulations to the team, recognizing their collective efforts and the brilliance of the squad, staff, and medical team throughout the year.
“When you keep on working and keep on pushing, you get rewarded, so I want to congratulate the boys, the team, the squad, the staff, and the medical team for this year as well because they’ve been brilliant," he added.
In the current season, Ayew has contributed with two goals, five assists, and earned the cinch Player of the Month for August.
His commitment to Crystal Palace extends with a contract extension until 2025. With 92 caps, Ayew is poised to play a significant role for the Black Stars in the upcoming AFCON tournament.
