Arokodare has seven goals and two assists in 11 appearances for Ajax across all competitions, despite starting only six of them.
Ajax legend Frank de Boer has urged patience with Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare, who has been compared with Marco van Basten and Patrick Kluivert since joining the club. De Boer spoke to Ziggo Sport and said the striker deserves time to show what he can do.
The comparisons are heavy ones. Van Basten won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1988, 1989 and 1992, and Kluivert won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax in 1995. Arokodare joined the Eredivisie club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer transfer window, on a season-long loan with an option to buy, after a difficult spell at Wolves.
In 11 outings in all competitions, he has found the net seven times and set up two more, though only six of those appearances came as a starter.
On Thursday he played the full 90 minutes in Ajax's UEFA Conference League game against HNK Hajduk Split in Croatia. He did not add to his goal tally, and Ajax lost the match 2-1.
De Boer acknowledged the comparisons and pointed to what he has seen from the striker: "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."
His message was short:
"I have seen some great things. So just let him play."
De Boer also thinks Ajax could bring out more in Arokodare if wide players delivered crosses into the box, giving him a chance to put his skills to work in the penalty area.
Arokodare's contract with Wolves runs until June 30, 2029, and Ajax have an option to assess his long-term future at the club.
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