Tolu Arokodare may be one of the leading scorers in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League this season, but fans have been unfair by comparing him with former star striker Paul Onuachu, according to the Genk captain Bryan Heynen.
“The criticism Tolu received in the beginning had to do with the big shoes he had to fill,” Heynen told Het Laatste Nieuws.
“You have to remember that Paul (Onuachu) was also 28 when he left. Tolu was 22 when he arrived and has just turned 24. That is a big difference. He still has time to grow to that level.”
The Genk skipper also said Arokodare has had to change his attitude in recent months.
“I think he realises that it doesn’t just have to happen on the weekend, but also during the week. Both in training and in the gym. The new staff has played a big role in that,” he said.
Heynen said Arokodare has enjoyed the necessary confidence and that is important for him to reach his full potentials.
“He is different from Onuachu and Samatta. Because of his height, the comparison with Paul is most valid,” he said.
“You can play the same game with them in principle, but there are too many differences. Tolu is faster. Paul was perhaps a bit stronger with his back to goal, although Tolu has also made progress there.”
