TS Galaxy striker Bernard Parker has given his thoughts on what could be done to decrease the number of players who return to South Africa from Europe earlier than expected. 

Recently Bongani Zungu made a return to Mamelodi Sundowns after his spell with French Ligue 2 side. Keagan Dolly also returned to the PSL to play for Kaizer Chiefs, while others such as Andile Jali and Kermit Erasmus have done the same.

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This has always been a topic in South Africa, with many questioning the players' abilities to handle being away from home for a long period.

While there are a number of players who have come back to South Africa earlier than expected, the likes of Dino Ndlovu, Mihlali Mayambela and Luther Singh are sticking it out abroad.

Parker, who is currently pursuing a career in life coaching, was overseas between 2009 and 2011, before returning to play for Amakhosi for 11 years. He gave his thoughts on what could be done to ensure players stay abroad for longer periods.

"With players going abroad and some coming back, it's not that all of us will come back and it's not that all of us will stay there. Football is also a business, so I think if we can instill more into our development in terms of the type of players we want to develop to reach the elite level, then I think we can monitor their progress on a weekly, month or season basis," Parker told the Siya crew.

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"It's just too easy when a player finds it difficult that side to come back here to a big team. I think we should try and think further. It's best if we can think further and work more on the mental part of the game than anything else, so that when they go that side and face challenges, they are strong to handle it and strong to find solutions. I believe a happy player is a performing player. I am just speaking like this because I am doing sports psychology and sports management and I am currently doing life coaching. So, I am speaking based on what I am doing.

"If we can all stand together and develop players who can stay that side and play in big leagues, we definitely can. If we can also do our homework and see how the South Americans are doing it. Their mindset is on another level, and I believe we can reach certain mindset levels."

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