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Ajax Amsterdam legend Frank de Boer has urged supporters and pundits to exercise patience with Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare, insisting the Nigerian striker deserves time to prove himself despite facing lofty comparisons to club icons Marco van Basten and Patrick Kluivert.
Following a difficult spell in England with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arokodare sealed a summer move to the Eredivisie giants on a season-long loan deal featuring an option to buy.
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Despite the pressure of replacing legendary predecessors, the Super Eagles forward has hit the ground running, registering seven goals and two assists in 11 appearances across all competitions, despite starting just six of those matches.
One of those starts came on Thursday during Ajax’s UEFA Conference League clash against Croatian side HNK Hajduk Split, where he played the full 90 minutes in a narrow 2-1 defeat.
Speaking on Ziggo Sport (via Ajax Showtime), De Boer emphasized that Arokodare can thrive in Amsterdam if the team adapts their tactical approach to suit his strengths, specifically by feeding him with quality crosses from the flanks.
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“We are used to comparing a striker to Van Basten and Kluivert, but I have also seen a few times that he is technically gifted and that you can make very good use of him,” De Boer said.
“I have seen some great things. So just let him play.”
With a contract tying him to parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers until June 2029, Arokodare will look to lean on the backing of club legends like De Boer as he continues to spearhead the Ajax attack.
