Genk captain Bryan Heynen says it would be unfair to compare Tolu Arokodare with Paul Onuachu.
Onuachu scored 79 goals in 114 league appearances during his four-year stint with the Smurfs.
Arokodare has been in blistering form for Genk this season, netting nine times in 15 league appearances.
“The criticism Tolu received in the beginning had to do with the big shoes he had to fill,” Heynen told Het Laatste Nieuws.
“You have to remember that Paul (Onuachu) was also 28 when he left. Tolu was 22 when he arrived and has just turned 24. That is a big difference. He still has time to grow to that level.”
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Heynen also said Arokodare has had to change his attitude in recent months.
“I think he realises that it doesn’t just have to happen on the weekend, but also during the week. Both in training and in the gym. The new staff has played a big role in that,” he said.
Heynen said Arokodare has enjoyed the necessary confidence and that is important for him to reach his full potentials.
“He is different from Onuachu and Samatta. Because of his height, the comparison with Paul is most valid,” he said.
“You can play the same game with them in principle, but there are too many differences. Tolu is faster. Paul was perhaps a bit stronger with his back to goal, although Tolu has also made progress there.”
3 Comments
Tolu has improved and he alongside Dessers and Chuba should be given a fair run of national games in friendlies. Awoniyi and Boniface has not delivered to stake claim to second striker after V Osimhen.
Boniface is another Iheanacho, the fact that you score a couple of goals doesn’t make you a point 9. These two guys will do great as supporting striker than playing as main strikers because they’re not good in Isolation. Eguavoen must try to understand these boys beyond what he’s used to or their clubsides.
This is true. Tolu is far and away better than Onuachu.