Chiefs' engine room evolution?

With a new season on the horizon, Kaizer Chiefs are looking to close a mammoth 41 points to Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the table.

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With so many matches decided in the midfield area, Nasreddine Nabi has consistently changed his midfield pairing to try to find the right mix. We’ve already seen one signing in this key area, and two significant departures whilst rumours intensify over a second addition in midfield. With eight options in that position as things stand today, could we see a change of formation? Nabi saw just three goals scored by his midfield options last term and a proper rejig may be needed for Chiefs to start dominating games a bit more effectively. Soccer Laduma investigates.

Chislett—Alternative to Salum?

The first big move made by Amakhosi to change the dynamic in their engine room was the acquisition of Durban-born midfielder Ethan Chislett. Although the 26-year-old comes as a free agent and has never played in the Betway Premiership before, this looks like a punt worth taking. If we go by his goalscoring record from the 2022/23 season, where he scored 11 goals in all competitions, we get an image of a box-crashing number eight.

Chislett’s 11 goals that season saw three direct freekicks scored for AFC Wimbledon and two braces. He moved to Port Vale at the start of the 2023/24 season and delivered another 11-goal season. However, three of those goals came in one match and two more were penalties. He wasn’t able to continue his Frank Lampard-esque numbers for a third year and last season just past saw a paltry four goals scored. All of those came in the first 12 rounds of League One action before his season petered out.