Dutch football analyst Kees Kwakman has questioned Ajax manager Míchel Sanchez’s decision to substitute Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare during Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, Footynaija.com reports.
Arokodare started the top-of-the-table clash and got on the scoresheet in the first half, using his strength to turn away from his marker before firing Ajax level after PSV had taken an early lead.
However, Sanchez opted to withdraw the Nigerian shortly after the restart, with Kasper Dolberg replacing him in the 61st minute.
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The decision did not impress Kwakman, who believes Ajax would have benefited from keeping Arokodare on the pitch for the closing stages.
What Kees Kwakman said
The ESPN analyst was particularly surprised by the timing of Sanchez’s changes, with Marcos Leonardo and Sofyan Amrabat introduced in the 54th minute before Arokodare was taken off seven minutes later.
“No, I didn’t understand why Tolu was substituted. Seven minutes after half-time he made the first substitution, and then seven minutes later he made the second. And there was no good communication because Mokio then lay down on the ground. I think it’s strange,” Kwakman said, per Voetbalprimeur.
Kwakman believes Arokodare’s physical presence makes him a player Ajax should be reluctant to remove, especially in a game of such intensity.
“And Tolu, you always have to keep him on. He played ninety minutes against Telstar, didn’t he? And yes, the intensity was higher. I know that. But do you know how annoying it is to play against him?”
The former NAC Breda also questioned the impact of Marcos Leonardo, who was introduced as part of Sanchez’s attacking changes.
“He still can’t convince me, so I would keep Tolu on.”
Ajax eventually suffered a 3-1 defeat, and Kwakman believes Arokodare’s presence could have offered the hosts another attacking outlet in the closing stages.
“As an Ajax fan, I think you would rather see Tolu messing around up there for another fifteen minutes.”
Arokodare is currently on an impressive scoring run, with goals in each of his last four outings for Ajax. The towering Nigerian striker will most likely get a chance to extend his impressive streak when Ajax visit Fortuna Sittard this weekend.
