Jordan Ayew's brother Andre Ayew has played for the full Marseille and Ghana side since 2007, and since he broke through, we've known about his equally talented younger brother who was on his way through the ranks. Jordan is just 20-years-old, but it feels like he's been lingering around in world football forever. This Africa Cup of Nations could mark the first time that he becomes a key contributor for the Black Stars, especially with Asamoah Gyan out of the Premier League and just now coming back to full fitness.
By virtue of having a brother who is one of the team's key players, Jordan Ayew is always going to have to deal with comparisons. He can play across the forward line like his brother, but Andre is more of a natural winger than anything else, while Jordan is closer to being a true center forward. This means that they can co-exist in the Ghanaian starting XI, whether that be with Samuel Inkoom, Asamoah Gyan or Prince Tagoe as the third forward.
Form and opposition will cause the forward line to shift throughout the tournament for Ghana, but expect Jordan Ayew to start the team's first game up top, simply because Gyan has only recently recovered from a hamstring problem and is yet to play a competitive football match since recovering from that injury. Ayew will have to perform well to keep his place, but there's no reason to believe he won't do so with the average defenses Ghana is facing in the group stage and the talent around him.
Jordan Ayew started the year making mostly late substitute appearances for Marseille, but began to make regular starts in the middle of October while the team was struggling in the league and needed a serious change. Since then, he's tallied three goals and three assists for his club and has linked up very well with his brother. Meanwhile, Tagoe has struggled, possibly giving Ayew the upper hand in gaining a starting position.
Kwadwo Asamoah and Andre Ayew will be the focal points of the Ghanaian national team at the Africa Cup of Nations, but the club and fitness situations of Tagoe and Gyan mean that Jordan Ayew will get an opportunity to play. If he impresses, he could potentially hold down a starting forward spot for a decade.
Jordan Ayew
National Team: Ghana
Club Team: Marseille (France)
Age: 20
Position: Forward
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