Bradley Cross’s recent move to Kaizer Chiefs as a left-back has sparked some skepticism among fans and experts. Let’s dive into the reasons behind the doubts and what they could mean for his future at the club.
Former Banyana Banyana captain and football analyst Simphiwe Dludlu has raised questions about the suitability of Bradley Cross for the left-back position. Dludlu, who has closely followed Cross’s career, believes the player might not be the ideal fit for this role. Despite Cross’s previous stint at Kaizer Chiefs Village in 2022, where he was initially overlooked, he later joined Maritzburg United. There, he played 17 games before the team faced relegation. After spells at Maritzburg United and Golden Arrows, Cross attracted the attention of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Although Chiefs initially failed to sign left-back Fawaaz Basadien from Stellenbosch and were advised against pursuing AmaZulu’s Riaan Hanamub, they ultimately decided to activate Cross’s R3 million release clause for the upcoming season.
Dludlu’s concerns are centered around Cross’s pace and overall fit for the left-back role. In an interview with SoccerZone, she expressed doubt about whether Cross possesses the necessary speed and stamina to effectively cover the left flank. She suggested that Cross might be better utilized as a left center-back rather than a traditional left-back. Dludlu noted, “From my observations at Golden Arrows, he hasn’t demonstrated the speed or the ability to make those overlapping runs required for a left-back. If he’s not expected to overlap, then perhaps the left-back role could still work for him.”
Bradley Cross will face stiff competition for the starting left-back position from current squad members Bongani Sam and Happy Mashiane, as well as Reeve Frosler, who has also been used in this role by Chiefs. The team’s first match of the Betway Premiership season is set against Marumo Gallants on September 14, to be held at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Kaizer Chiefs are undergoing significant changes this season with several new signings, including Cross and midfielder Njabulo Blom, bringing their total new arrivals to seven. New head coach Nasreddine Nabi will need to address several key challenges as he integrates these new players and works to improve the team’s performance. As Bradley Cross prepares to make his debut, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he adapts to his new role and how he fits into the team’s evolving strategy.
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