Left out of the starting line-up at Groningen, Tolu Arokodare was replaced by Marcos Leonardo. Miguel Sánchez, the Ajax Amsterdam head coach, justified the choice by a need for fresh energy and the aim of giving playing time to his competition.
Ajax Amsterdam’s trip to Groningen in the Eredivisie was played without Tolu Arokodare in the starting line-up. The 25-year-old Nigerian international striker had, however, just started against Hajduk Split in the Conference League, in a 2-1 defeat.
Miguel Sánchez, head coach of the Amsterdam club, made six changes to his line-up for this match. Up front, the choice fell on Brazilian Marcos Leonardo rather than the Super Eagle. A decision that raised serious questions among Dutch observers and supporters.
“Fresh energy” up front
Speaking at a press conference, the coach gave his version of events, as reported by Afrik-Foot: “his choice was influenced by the need for fresh energy and the opportunity for another striker to show himself”. An explanation that points to squad management.
The Ajax coach highlights two reasons: bringing fresh energy and offering playing time to his competition.
A recent record as a scorer
Leaving Arokodare out may come as a surprise given his recent form. He joined Ajax last summer from KRC Genk, having scored 15 goals in the Jupiler Pro League before moving to the Netherlands.
With Nigeria, where he has several caps, he is fighting for a place in attack with Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface. In Amsterdam as with the national team, he has to contend with strong competition.
A rotation yet to be confirmed
Afrik-Foot, which first reported the information, sees it as Sánchez’s desire to establish a strict rotation in Ajax’s attack. That reading remains the outlet’s interpretation: a single match is not enough to establish it as a lasting rule in squad management.
The context of the match, however, supports the management theory: six changes in total, a European fixture in the middle of the schedule and a quickfire double from young defender Jorthy Mokio in the win. Ajax continue with the next Eredivisie matchday and the third European matchday next week.