Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Morgan Gould believes the club have successfully filled all necessary positions after completing 10 signings this season, suggesting they should only pursue "exceptional, out of this world" players if further reinforcements become available.
Gould's assessment comes as Amakhosi maintain their perfect defensive record in the Betway Premiership, with the former Bafana Bafana defender crediting the club's patient approach to recruitment for their early-season success.
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Speaking to Soccer Laduma in an exclusive interview following the unveiling of former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lebohang Maboe as Chiefs' latest addition, Gould said the club can now be selective about any future signings.
"I think it's safe to say that delay is not denying. It seems like they have signed in the right sort of areas, you know. I think it looks okay unless there is an exceptional player out there that is willing to come to Chiefs or that they are willing to break the bank for. Which I doubt. You don't need a player that you are going to break the bank for because it comes with its own dynamics. You can sign the player then what if the player doesn't fit into the plans?"
The former defender praised Chiefs' transformation from defensive struggles to becoming the only team yet to concede in the league.
"And right now they are in the right mental frame. Mental state. Whatever they have at their disposal is working for them. It goes without saying that, yes, you can sign, but are you going to sign something that is literally out of this world? I think they have signed well. They took their time delaying, and also some of the things that happened over in the preseason were a blessing in disguise. People talking about how bad they were, but now where it counts the most, they are making the right things. They are playing the right music. They are dancing to the right music. And no one can tell them because, look, as far as we are concerned, they are the only ones with all clean sheets. Everybody else has conceded. So, from being one of the worst defences or one of the worst when it comes to keeping clean sheets, to becoming this team - we must applaud them. It takes a special group, a special player, a special team to do that," Gould told Soccer Laduma.
When asked to identify the standout performer among the new arrivals, Gould highlighted Zitha Kwinika's rejuvenation as the most impressive development.
"I don't want to lie to you. The rejuvenation of Zitha (Kwinika) for me. I think he is waking up and also saying, 'you know what I have been here, I left, I came back. I tried and it didn't work'. But now he has the experience that he has, I will say Zitha (Kwinika) is, as he is like a new player. It reminds me of all the things I have been through in my career. He took it and he revived it like 'okay, this is the situation. It's not idle but I am going to work with it'. And it's working for him," Gould added.
Regarding the newer signings, Gould expressed eagerness to see Luke Baartman while praising the impact of others.
"I want to see what they are really capable of. Thabiso (Monyane) has showed me what he has done. Paseka (Mako) on Saturday showed us. I have always said Mako is a special player. He was at the right team at the right time. And then he moved to a good team at the right time. So it's just working well for him. You don't have to crash and look at the neighbours and say 'this is what happened there. Maybe what works for me won't work for you'. I still want to see Luke (Baartman). Bro. I have followed him for a while now. Yes, I still want to see him put what he has in front of the Kaizer Chiefs faithful. Let them appreciate it. And I like what's happening. When you sign a player at Chiefs you come with so much pressure, and if you don’t deliver when you get there, when you don't hit the ground running, then it's a problem."
Gould concluded by defending striker Flavio Silva's early contributions despite initial skepticism from supporters.
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"Asanele Velebayi and even Flavio Silva. He is scoring at the right time. First goal. First game. Everybody was saying, but this one! What is he doing? He scored a goal. He can keep quiet and say, 'guys where is the noise now?' And him coming from a Portuguese background. They are very intelligent. They don't like talking too much. They just work. They want to deliver. He can't be in the Guinea-Bissau team and not be a good player. Yes, he might not be what they want, but he is doing the job," Gould concluded to the Siya crew.
Gould's assessment reflects the growing confidence around Chiefs following their strategic recruitment approach and early defensive solidity. His emphasis on only pursuing "exceptional" talent suggests the club has successfully addressed their key weaknesses, with the challenge now being to integrate the new signings effectively while maintaining the defensive discipline that has become their early-season trademark.
The former defender's praise for both established and new players indicates a squad depth that could prove crucial as Chiefs navigate multiple competitions this season.
