Arokodare needs to press more – Ajax coach

Ajax coach Míchel Sánchez has said Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare needs to press more and bring greater energy to his game, despite the Nigerian scoring in the club’s 3-1 loss to PSV at the weekend.

Arokodare started the Eredivisie clash at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Saturday and levelled for Ajax in the 23rd minute, cancelling out Ricardo Pepi’s early opener for PSV, which had come inside four minutes.

However, the 25-year-old was substituted in the 61st minute, with Kasper Dolberg introduced as Míchel made changes to his attack.

Míchel explained after the game that Arokodare was replaced because Ajax needed more energy and fresh legs going forward, while admitting the striker had not been at his best.

“Due to a lack of energy. He is a player we all support,” Míchel said, in quotes carried by Ajax Showtime.

“Perhaps he wasn’t playing at his best level and we needed fresh legs to press and try to find space in behind the defence.”

The Ajax boss also said he had expected more from Arokodare in the early stages of the match.

“We said that he would be important as a focal point. He had to enable us to hold onto the ball and allow us to play as a team. I wasn’t pleased with his first actions.

“Ultimately, I am very passionate, and so is he. From the sidelines, we see everything much more clearly. I have asked him to put more determination and energy into his actions,” he said.

PSV restored their lead through Lutsharel Geertruida in first-half stoppage time before Esmir Bajraktarević completed the scoring in the 92nd minute. Ajax are currently sixth on the Eredivisie table after four games, with seven points from two wins, one defeat and a draw. They travel to Fortuna Sittard next.

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