Former Ajax midfielder Marciano Vink says he did not expect Nigeria striker Tolu Arokodare to make such an immediate impact since joining the Dutch club.
Arokodare moved to Ajax from Wolves this summer and has scored five goals in eight appearances across all competitions this season.
Speaking to Livescore, Vink praised the 25-year-old’s physical strength and finishing ability, while also highlighting the different attacking option he provides Ajax.
“I didn’t expect him to make such an immediate impact,” Vink said.
The former Ajax midfielder believes Arokodare’s technical ability is particularly impressive given his size and strength, although he suggested the striker could improve his heading.
“Only the heading could be a bit better, but that move reveals a lot,” Vink said. “He can really play football well for such a strong, big player.”
Vink pointed to a chance in which Arokodare controlled the ball on his chest before attempting to shoot with his left foot.
“That chance for Tolu, which he controlled on his chest and then shot wide with his left,” he said. “He took it a bit too much on the outside of his foot this time, causing it to go wide.”
Despite the miss, Vink said the sequence demonstrated the qualities Arokodare can offer in difficult situations.
“But that is really impressive, in tight space for such a big and strong guy,” he said.
Vink added that the effort could have been remembered as an exceptional goal had the ball found the top 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 said.
“That whole move reveals so much footballing class.”