With their latest signing, it would appear to some that Kaizer Chiefs could be looking to emulate Mamelodi Sundowns in the transfer market.
On Thursday, Chiefs announced the signing of Colombian striker Jasond Gonzalez who previously played for Real Santa Cruz in the Bolivian Primera Division.
The 24-year-old joins fellow South American in Venezuelan midfielder Edson Castillo among the new signings at Amakhosi for the 2023/24 season.
Over the years, several South American players have found their way to the DStv Premiership, with most of them having signed for Sundowns and went on to contribute to the club's successes.
Former Chiefs midfielder Vusi 'Computer' Lamola looks at what has been done so far by the Soweto giants.
The Good
"We wish the team well. We just hope that they will succeed in achieving what they have always intended to achieve for the past seven years or so. You see, it is true when they say that there is no problem without solution and I say there is no solution without a problem. When you search for players with the aim of strengthening the team, you go all over to look wherever you think you can find what you are looking for. Whether the players are from the United States or Europe, only time will tell if the club has made good signings. Let us wait and see before getting into the discussion on whether the club has made good or bad signings with these players coming from various countries. We will see if they are capable of giving anticipated results or not," said Lamola.
The Bad
"It has happened several times before that a lot is said about the players after being signed, but when they have to perform they never do. Whether it is the coach or players, time tells if they are capable or not. I mean, two games have come and gone and the team has collected one point out of a possible six from a draw. Maybe we will have to assess the situation at the end of the first half of the season to see if the team is going up or down or still the same," he added.
The Ugly
"You see, many people focus on the coach but the management also has a role to play. As things are, we don't know exactly where the problem lies but time will tell. We will see if there is a solution or whether the problem remains unsolved," he said.
"We are forever hoping"
"We are forever hoping that the club will have the best season. The best approach is to give the players a chance to showcase their talent and take it from there. We can talk now and make all the predictions about the players on whether they are the right signings or not, but without them playing and showing their capabilities what we say isn't that important. It is not about us and what we think of the players but it is about what they can offer. Time will tell in terms of what is it that they have in store for Chiefs. Even about the team, it is still early to predict their season. It is premature to say they are going up or down," concluded Lamola.
Who is your best signing for Chiefs?
