Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando da Cruz says Luke Baartman’s development will benefit from playing in different roles and explained why he’s become a key part of his plans.
Baartman, 20, played seven games last season after being lured to the club from Cape Town Spurs where he emerged as one of the brightest talents in South African football.
However, the arrival of Da Cruz has now seen him earn three consecutive starts in the opening three games of the new season, and netted his first goal for the club in the 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United on Wednesday evening.
But he’s primiraly been fielded out wide when he’s been known for his finishing as a more central attacker during his youth days and breaking through into the senior set-up at the Urban Warriors.
“Modern football players can play in many positions, young players like Baartman, it’s important to give him more tools to play in different roles,” he said.
“The most important thing for him is to read the game, knowing what to do now in this situation where he plays.”
‘He listens to his coach’
Da Cruz went on to explain why the Amajita star managed to turn his side during the pre-season in Spain and continuing into the competitive fixtures.
“It’s a player with good technical qualities that’s interesting, and also a player with good explosively when he plays football, a young player who listens to what the coaches ask which is very important to me,” he said.
“The most important thing for young players is to listen to what the coach wants, sometimes young players act experiences, so for me, that’s what’s good, he understands what I want.
“Bur with his lack of experience he will need time to recover, so there will be moments in the season where we need to protect him.”