The Chinese Super League (CSL) has seen a number of foreign players struggle to find their feet in the league this season, with one notable exception - Akpembe.
Despite being a relatively unknown name on the global stage, Akpembe has made an immediate impact in China, scoring two goals in his first two appearances for the Shanghai Shenhua side.
However, despite these impressive displays, Akpembe has struggled to break through and establish himself as a regular starter in the CSL.
This is not a unique problem facing foreign players in the league, but it does highlight the challenges they face when trying to make an impression in a new environment.
For Akpembe, this has meant adapting to a new culture and language, while also adjusting to a different style of football and playing alongside some of the best players in Asia.
But despite these obstacles, Akpembe remains undeterred and continues to work hard every day to improve his game and earn more minutes on the pitch.
It will be interesting to see if he can continue to impress and establish himself as a key player for Shanghai Shenhua in the coming weeks and months. For now, though, it looks like Akpembe's drought in front of goal may continue for the time being.