Tolu Arokodare: Was there more to Oliver Glasner on-pitch lecture?

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner raised eyebrows at Molineux on Saturday after spending an unusually long time speaking with Tolu Arokodare on the pitch following Wolves’ 2-0 defeat.

While other players headed down the tunnel almost immediately, the Super Eagles striker remained deep in discussion with the Palace manager, and the pair were the last to leave the grass.

Arokodare had been handed a starting role under Wolves’ new head coach Rob Edwards, lining up alongside Jørgen Strand Larsen. The partnership showed flashes of understanding, particularly when Strand Larsen sent him through with a clever touch. Instead of taking on the opportunity himself, the Lagos-born striker attempted to set up Marshall Munetsi, a moment that reflected Wolves’ hesitation in the final third and summed up their difficult afternoon.

The post-match scene, however, overshadowed everything else. Glasner and Arokodare stood together for several minutes, gesturing, nodding, and talking intently. There is no known close relationship between them, making the exchange even more intriguing for fans who noticed it.

Could Arokodare fit as Mateta’s successor?

While the reasons for Glasner’s long chat with Arokodare remain unclear, the conversation comes at a time when Crystal Palace are quietly managing the future of their lead striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The Frenchman’s excellent form including his recent breakthrough with the national team has attracted interest, and although Palace have opened talks over a new deal, nothing has been finalised.

Oliver Glasner has just had an extremely long conversation on the pitch with Wolves attacker Tolu Arokodare. Chat continued once every player left the pitch. #CPFC

— Bobby Manzi (@BobbyManzi) November 22, 2025

If Palace eventually need to prepare for life without Mateta, Arokodare is the kind of profile Glasner usually gravitates towards. The Austrian manager has a strong reputation for improving big, powerful forwards, Mateta himself has benefitted massively from Glasner’s coaching, with sharper movement, better hold-up play and improved confidence since his arrival.

The 25-year-old brings a similar physical presence, long strides, and the ability to run channels aggressively, traits that suit the high-intensity football Glasner demands.