Shaun Bartlett questions the level of quality at Kaizer Chiefs

Bartlett expressed to SABC Sport that the Soweto giants appear to be acquiring players without a focus on quality, merely for the sake of making signings.

With an eight-year trophy drought for Amakhosi, the 52-year-old is apprehensive that the situation may worsen unless the club invests significantly in securing high-calibre players.

It’s not an overstatement to say that he is dissatisfied with the current quality of players at the club. The ex-Cape Town Spurs coach is disheartened by the perceived lack of quality from the present squad.

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“I consistently emphasize the importance of maintaining standards, and with no disrespect to the current players, there seems to be a trend where if a player has two or three standout performances against Chiefs, they are signed without a comprehensive assessment of their overall abilities,” Bartlett said.

“It’s crucial to elevate not just talent but also factors like character, mentality, and commitment to play for such a prestigious club. Chiefs is a significant brand, and having played there for two years, it remains a prominent part of my recognition in this country, overshadowing even my ten years abroad.

“While many recall the last-second goal I scored in the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates, the six years I spent playing in England often go unnoticed,” shared Bartlett in his interview with the national broadcaster.

“It highlights the significant impact that Chiefs holds as a major brand in this country. When they sign players, there’s a crucial need to ensure that these individuals not only align with the brand but also possess the capability to deliver noteworthy performances and yield positive results.

“This, undoubtedly, is the key to restoring the glory days that have been absent for many years on the field. The lack of success in recent years is disheartening for us former players, and it’s regrettable that no substantial changes have occurred over the past eight or nine years,” said Bartlett.