Kaizer Chiefs could be facing a significant change in their first team as Venezuelan midfielder Edson Castillo contemplates his future with the club, according to insiders privy to information.
Soccer Laduma has previously reported on a recent offer to extend Castillo's contract, and the interest he has been receiving from clubs abroad.
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Siya sources close to the club have now indicated that Castillo is not happy with his situation at the club and is considering his options in terms of where he could be at the end of the season. A major factor that would direct his decision is the pursuit of regular playing time.
"It's tough for both the player and the club. You know the club recently offered him a new deal to keep him longer at the club but now the player feels he is not happy, mainly in recent times," said the Siya source.
"He hasn't been playing the way he wanted to and that is affecting him. He has indicated that it could also affect his national team (Venezuela) call up as he has just returned to the team after a long absence.
"But maybe management will convince him that he has to wait for the new coach and see what happens after that before they can let him go or not. But seriously, he has expressed unhappiness on not playing as a first choice more regularly, mainly in the second half of the season," the source observed.
A second Siya source stated that Amakhosi's decision to offer Castillo an extension was influenced by interest from other clubs.
"They wanted to increase his value because if you have a long term contract with a club then your value goes up. There are about three teams which have shown serious interest in him. One in North Africa and two in Europe and he is also looking at that as a way of enhancing his national team chances. So, that could be the other reason why he wants to leave," the second Siya source told Soccer Laduma.
Castillo, 29, started the season impressively under coach Molefi Ntseki but saw his impact wane under interim mentor Cavin Johnson, who has preferred other midfield combinations, relegating Castillo to a less prominent role. Despite participating in 24 PSL games in total so far, Castillo's contributions were most notable under Ntseki's leadership, where he scored all three of his goals this season.
This development puts Castillo at a crossroads, as he weighs the benefits of staying with Chiefs against the allure of regular playtime and the opportunity to further his career elsewhere. As the season draws to a close, Castillo's decision will be keenly observed by fans and analysts alike, marking a critical juncture in his national team journey with Venezuela too.
Soccer Laduma reached out to Chiefs for a comment but no response was received by the time this story was published.
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