Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has refused to be drawn into speculation surrounding the future of academy product Njabulo Blom amid contractual disputes.
Blom, 22, is said to be in a standoff with the club amid reports that his representative has issued high demands for his next contract, with his current contract set to expire in 2023.
According to reports in local media, the contractual issues may have affected his form of late, with Zwane notably dropping the player after what he described as a ‘terriblle performance’ by Blom’s standards in the 1-0 defeat to Royal AM on the opening day of the season.
His only other start came in the 4-0 defeat at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versveld last month and Amakhosi have believed to have told the player that he needs to focus on improving his displays and commitment to the team before entertaining such demands.
“I would like to focus more on what we’d like to do right now in the game against AmaZulu, the issue with Njabulo Blom, the management will deal with it, from our side, the technical staff will like to focus on what’s coming over the weekend,” Zwane said at Naturena Village on Thursday afternoon.
“There’s nothing [going on between us], I treat all my boys with special care. You know, we’ve come a long way. I love all of them and I want the best for them. I don’t think [it’s affected his focus], I think it’s one of those things in football, things go your way and sometimes things don’t go your way.”
Zwane went on to state he is unaware of the demands but stated he has the best interests of Blom, whom he worked with closely in the academy alongside the likes of Happy Mashiane and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.
“I really don’t know about that [salary demads], that’s why I’m saying I’m focused more on what’s happening over the weekend, I’ll leave that one to the management, I want the best for all the players, including Najbulo, including Mshini, I want the best for all of them.”
His agent Rob Moore suggested in an interview with Sports Night Amplified, that their demands aren’t unreasonable, and that the player is seeking to be compensated fairly for what he’s given to the club and what he can offer in the future as a young talent – but Zwane, again, refused to be drawn into the comments.
“I wouldn’t want to comment about that, I think now, the more we put our efforts on focusing on winning games and all that, there are more people who will talk – so we understand it’s part of the game.”
Blom has featured 85 times for Chiefs, registering eight assists since making his first-team debut for Amakhosi in October 2019.
