Former Genk striker Patrick Goots has lauded Nigerian forward Toluwalase Emmanuel Arokodare for his remarkable improvement under head coach Thorsten Fink.

Arokodare has been in sensational form this season, currently leading the league’s scoring chart with 13 goals—one more than his closest competitor, Kasper Dolberg.

Beyond his goal-scoring exploits, the 24-year-old has been a creative force, registering five assists and consistently contributing to Genk’s attacking play.

Reflecting on Arokodare’s progress, Goots admitted he hadn’t anticipated such an explosive season from the striker, citing the challenges he faced in the past.

“I I certainly wasn’t overwhelmed then. He had to deal with a lot of injuries. He was never really fully fit.

I didn’t expect Tolu to explode this year. No, but neither did Genk. He couldn’t handle 90 minutes back then. He was a different Tolu,” Goots told Het Nieuwsblad.

“Now, he’s a rock in the surf, who doesn’t shy away from a duel and who you don’t easily push off the ball.

He’s changed in every way. He already had the qualities before, but now he’s physically in tip-top shape.”

Goots also highlighted Arokodare’s importance in Genk’s attacking setup, particularly his ability to link up with teammates like Steuckers.

“He is also of great value in combinations with Steuckers, for example. Tolu is the point of contact who has to pass the ball, which allows the entire team to advance,” Goots added.

Arokodare’s performances have drawn attention from Premier League clubs, though Genk remains determined to retain their star forward until the end of the season as they chase the league title.

The 6ft 6in striker has already surpassed his goal contributions from last season, achieving this in just half the number of games.

His combination of physical fitness and tactical awareness has solidified his place as a key player in Genk’s title push.