Ajax great Frank de Boer has urged the club to give Tolu Arokodare sufficient time, arguing that the Nigerian forward should not be judged against the standards set by Dutch striking legends Marco van Basten and Patrick Kluivert.
Arokodare moved to Amsterdam on a season-long loan during the summer window after a challenging period with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ajax hold an option to make the transfer permanent.
Quick facts
- Arokodare has scored seven times and supplied two assists in 11 Ajax appearances in all competitions.
- He has started six matches since arriving on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
- The Nigeria international is under contract at Wolves until June 30, 2029.
The striker has made a strong early impression despite limited starts, contributing nine direct goal involvements across his first 11 outings for the Eredivisie side.
He was handed a starting place for Thursday’s UEFA Conference League match away to HNK Hajduk Split in Croatia. Arokodare completed the full match but did not find the net.
De Boer said Ajax must play to the forward’s strengths, particularly by delivering crosses from wide areas to give him the service required in the penalty area.
“We tend to measure every striker against Van Basten and Kluivert,” De Boer said. “But I have seen on several occasions that he has technical quality and can be used very effectively.
“There have been some very encouraging moments. Let him play.”
