In this week's Friday debate, Soccer Laduma got in touch with a few Kaizer Chiefs supporters to find out if there are any regrets in missing out on midfielder Thabo Cele, who has made a move to Russia.
Tshemedi Molopo - Chiefs supporter
I think we've really missed out on Thabo Cele because you are talking about a team that's still trying to catch up to other giants in Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. Those two sides have gone all out to try to improve their quality, even after lifting trophies last season. They still tried to have solid transfer windows, so that they can bring something again this season. Chiefs are still playing catch up and a quality player like Thabo Cele would have strengthened that midfield. Yes, Edson Castillo is settling in nicely, but this game is cruel. You can get long-term injuries or you can get suspensions and then you are back to square one. At the moment, it seems like Yusuf Maart is the only one playing well alongside Castillo. And you look at the transfer window Chiefs had last season, those players are nowhere to be seen except Maart and Ashley du Preez. A signing like Thabo Cele would definitely be missed by Chiefs. For the fact they missed out on signing him for a second time, it definitely makes things worse because you need depth in the squad. Signing him would have given the technical team more confidence in terms of challenging for trophies. He was not going to get a lot of goals, but he was going to bring stability to that midfield.
Thulani Nombali - Chiefs supporter
Cele would have added quality to Chiefs and in terms of depth, he would have been a good option to have, especially when you partner him with someone like Castillo. I think that's the missing link currently. The central midfielders we have don't seem to have that aspect in them to be able to control games, or to manage the game in the critical phases. Even when we lead games, it always feels like we are about to concede. I think Cele would have given us that option with the combination passes and maybe he would have been able to find those passes in between the lines. I think we missed him because I don't think we are covered. I am still having questions on Castillo, especially if he is going to see us through the season in that role.
Mohau Tlali - Chiefs supporter
Thabo Cele has been playing overseas for some time now and he has gained a lot of experience. We saw him playing for the under-23s at the Olympics and it's a blunder for Chiefs to miss out on such a talent. It's a blunder. I believe that they should have done everything in their power to get a player like him. We recently saw a game between Chiefs and Sundowns, whereby Castillo, Maart and Sithebe were packed in the midfield. Sithebe struggled and could not match the pace of the game. I do believe that they should have signed Cele. I don't know why the deal fell off. Maybe he was going to help them to fight for trophies. You can't fight for the title with Castillo and Maart only. You need man power. You need a good arsenal in midfield. It's definitely a miss for Chiefs because Thabo Cele is really a good player.
