Tolu Arokodare: 2 areas Ajax striker is worrying Eredivisie defenders

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has already given Eredivisie defenders plenty to think about at Ajax, with NEC Nijmegen coach Dick Schreuder identifying two qualities that make the Nigerian difficult to contain.

Arokodare joined Ajax from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan in the summer, looking to rediscover the form that made him one of Belgium’s most dangerous forwards during his time at Genk.

The 25-year-old’s physical profile offers Ajax a unique option in attack. Standing at 1.97 metres, he can compete with centre-backs in aerial duels, hold up the ball and provide a target when his team needs to attack more directly.

Those qualities have not gone unnoticed by Schreuder, whose NEC side face Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena as the Eredivisie resumes after the international break.

2 areas Tolu Arokodare is thriving in the Eredivisie

1. Physicality

Speaking ahead of the encounter, the NEC coach singled out Arokodare as one of the threats his defenders must contain.

“To let Ajax get into our own penalty area is not very smart either. Especially not with their striker.

“He is tall, dominant and also quite dangerous in all the runs he makes. He is very difficult to defend,” Schreuder said in quotes revealed by Dutch outlet ForzaNEC.

Arokodare’s height and strength make him a difficult opponent to handle when Ajax deliver crosses into the penalty area or look to play forward under pressure.

Rather than relying on intricate passing combinations, Ajax can use the Nigerian as a direct outlet, allowing him to compete for long balls and bring teammates into the attack.

Arokodare’s profile was also central to the reasoning behind his summer move to Amsterdam.

However, winning aerial duels is only part of the equation. Arokodare must continue to turn that advantage into meaningful contributions, whether through goals, layoffs or creating space for runners around him.

2. His movement makes him more than a traditional target man

Schreuder’s second observation is the striker’s movement.

A striker who combines height with intelligent runs can create problems in several ways. He can attack crosses between defenders, move into channels to stretch the back line or make near-post and far-post runs that force centre-backs to adjust their positioning.

Those movements can also benefit Ajax’s other attackers. When Arokodare draws a defender towards him, space can open for a midfielder or winger to attack the penalty area.

For Ajax, the challenge is to make those runs count by delivering the ball at the right time. Arokodare’s physical attributes may attract attention, but his effectiveness will depend on the quality of the service he receives and the coordination between him and his teammates.

Arokodare faces another test against NEC

Schreuder’s comments underline the defensive challenge Arokodare presents, but the Nigerian must prove that he can consistently translate those qualities into decisive performances.

NEC will need to limit the space available to Ajax while remaining alert to the striker’s movement inside the penalty area. Allowing him to receive crosses freely or establish himself in dangerous positions could make the visitors’ task considerably harder.

For Arokodare, the fixture offers another opportunity to demonstrate why his combination of physical dominance and intelligent movement can make him a valuable option for Ajax.

If the Nigerian can exploit those two strengths, he’ll become the man to fear in the Eredivisie.