Tolu Arokodare’s early impact at Ajax has caught the attention of former Netherlands international Marciano Vink, but it was not one of the Nigerian striker’s goals that impressed him most after Saturday’s 5-1 win over Fortuna Sittard, Footynaija.com reports.
Arokodare has made a fast start since returning to the Netherlands on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring five goals and providing two assists in his first eight appearances for Ajax this season.
His goals have naturally drawn much of the attention, especially after he scored twice against Sion in the Conference League before adding further goals against Telstar and PSV in the Eredivisie. But Vink believes the 25-year-old has shown something that cannot be measured simply by his goals or his 1.97m frame.
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That became clear to the former Ajax midfielder when Arokodare received the ball on his chest inside a tight area against Fortuna, brought it under control and created room to shoot with his left foot.
Vink impressed by Arokodare’s technique
Speaking in a report by Goal, Vink focused on the movement rather than the fact that the effort went wide, according to Flashscore.
“That chance for Tolu, which he controlled on his chest and then shot wide with his left,” Vink said.
“He took it a bit too much on the outside of his foot this time, causing it to go wide.”
For Vink, the impressive part was how Arokodare handled the ball in a crowded area despite his size.
“But that is really impressive, in tight space for such a big and strong guy.”
The former Ajax midfielder then suggested the effort could have become one of the best goals of the season if Arokodare had found the corner.
“It’s a good thing the ball didn’t go straight into the top corner, because then it would be the goal of the year,” he added.
“That whole move reveals so much footballing class.”
Vink also admitted that Arokodare has made a bigger impression than he expected since joining Ajax.
“I didn’t expect him to make such an immediate impact,” he said.
The analyst still sees room for improvement in Arokodare’s heading, but his overall assessment was clear.
“Only the heading could be a bit better, but that move reveals a lot. He can really play football well for such a strong, big player.”
