Arokodare v Lukaku: NEC defender reveals which striker is harder to handle

NEC centre-back Perr Schuurs has praised Tolu Arokodare following Ajax Amsterdam’s 1-1 draw with the Nijmegen-based club in an Eredivisie clash at the Johan Cruyff ArenA on Saturday.

Seven minutes into the match, the Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee rose above Schuurs to power home the opening goal with a thunderous header from a cross delivered by Jorthy Mokio, highlighting the aerial threat he poses to opposing defences.

The goal took Arokodare’s tally of goal contributions in an Ajax shirt to nine in 10 appearances across all competitions.

Schuurs, who faced Romelu Lukaku twice in Serie A during his time at Torino, believes the Belgian striker is easier to defend against than the Nigeria international.

The 26-year-old experienced Arokodare's physicality first-hand last Saturday, when he struggled to contain the towering striker.

"I knew he was big and strong, but he can also jump well. Once he gets airborne, he is at least three metres tall," Schuurs told HLN.

Explaining why Arokodare's style makes him harder to contain than Lukaku, he stated: "I played in Serie A for four years, but even there I didn't often come across a striker like that.

"Romelu Lukaku, for example, is a different type, and even he is easier to play against. He mainly wants the ball low, whereas Tolu wants the ball on his chest."

Arokodare joined Ajax on a season-long loan during the summer transfer window, following Wolves' relegation to the Championship.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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