Kaizer Chiefs given fresh transfer reminder through Njabulo Blom dismissal

Kaizer Chiefs were given a fresh transfer reminder as midfielder Njabulo Blom received a red card in their away loss to TTM on Tuesday.

Earlier this season the Soweto giants failed to overturn their transfer ban. That then left veteran mentor Gavin Hunt with little option, but to look to his youngsters to compensate for transfers that did not materialize. One of the players who benefited from the situation was Blom, a player whose ability Hunt has not been afraid to wax lyrically about.

READ | GAVIN HUNT: NJABULO BLOM IS AN UNBELIEVABLE TALENT

Transfer ban forced Hunt’s hand

That trust from Hunt has been displayed by the number of appearances Blom has made in the Chiefs midfield this season. The South African junior international has featured 29 times in the middle of the park so far in all competitions. That is arguably a number that has been inflated by Chiefs’ lack of reinforcements in that area, and one would think he wouldn’t have played as much had Hunt been able to sign his midfield targets.

One of those targets is Hunt’s former trusted soldier at previous employers Bidvest Wits, Phathutshedzo Nange. Although the 29-year-old ended up signing for Stellenbosch FC, It’s an open secret that Nange ‘is’ a Chiefs player. Having already trained with them in pre-season, Hunt himself, all but confirmed his signing on national radio.

READ | GAVIN HUNT CONFIRMS AMAKHOSIS FIRST MAJOR SIGNING

Nange was not the only one of Hunt’s former midfielders he was targeting, with Thabang Monare reportedly top of his wish list too. Although he would eventually join archrivals Orlando Pirates he, perhaps depicted the type of player Hunt would’ve wanted to fulfil that anchoring role for his side. An experienced, no-nonsense, tough-tackling midfielder with a combative presence.

Hunt is still looking for his ideal midfield anchorman

It was quickly apparent that Hunt was not convinced Katsande would be the man for the job. That then paved the way for an opportunity of a lifetime to fall on the boots of Blom. Blom, however, with all of his attributes is anything but a Monare-type midfielder, and having him play that role has predictably left Chiefs vulnerable in the middle of the park. Blom is a lot silkier, with short combination passes more of his game.

He enjoys late runs into or around the box, with the odd interception or crunch tackle also in his arsenal. Hunt was in an unfortunate situation where all his other midfield options including Baccus, Matsheke and now Parker all being of a similar ilk. The only midfield option available to do that job, one who has performed that role for years, in Katsande is now rendered a part-time option.

Lack of midfield hardman has cost Amakhosi points this season

As the “Glamour Boys” continue to lose those key midfield battles, it has usually coincided with a loss of points too. Players that combative seem to be few and far between in South African football with the likes of Monare, Ben Motshwari and Grant Magerman all more or less unattainable. That could mean Hunt will have to improvise with the balance of his midfield next year.

Blom’s lack of control in the midfield often sees him over-stretching and conceding unnecessary fouls in the middle of the park. He has been susceptible to cheap yellow cards all season without much in the way of end product either. Today it all culminated in a red card many would argue had been a long time coming.

Hunt will need to sign an experienced midfielder if he is to succeed

Although Hunt has thrown his full weight of confidence in the 21–year-old, the experienced coach would be the first to know you cannot rely on youngsters. The inconsistency in Blom’s game is to be expected at his age, but for a club like Chiefs who haven’t won silverware in six seasons, grooming a player on the job has proven to be far from ideal.

If Blom’s man of the match performance against Mamelodi Sundowns had Hunt backtracking on his midfield transfer targets, then the loss to TTM would’ve served as a timely reminder of just how urgent that void remains for Amakhosi should they harbour ambitions to challenge for top honours next season.