In an exclusive scoop, the 45min has gathered insights suggesting that Tashreeq Matthews To Kaizer Chiefs is on the cards, bringing him back to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in South Africa.
The 23-year-old, who initially rose through the ranks at Ajax Cape Town before a stint with Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, has been setting the Swedish league ablaze with his exceptional performances this season.
Matthews, currently plying his trade with Sirius, has notched up an impressive nine goals and seven assists in 26 appearances, making him one of the standout South African players in consideration for Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squads. This surpasses the goal contributions of any other South African player this season, as reported by Soccer Laduma.
WATCH: Tashreeq Matthews – All 10 Goals & 10 Assists in 2023
While Matthews had initially represented South Africa at the U20 level, he temporarily fell off the national team radar due to loan spells between Dortmund and Utrecht U21, followed by stints in Sweden with Helsingborgs IF and Varbergs. However, his resurgence in form has not gone unnoticed, drawing parallels to the impact made by Tokelo Rantie in Sweden a decade ago.
Unlike Rantie, Matthews, at 23, still has ample time to establish himself in European football and catch the attention of national team coach Broos. Simultaneously, Kaizer Chiefs has shown a keen interest in the forward, recognizing his potential contributions to the team.
Siya sources within Amakhosi have revealed that the club is closely monitoring Matthews’ progress in Sweden and has even discussed potential strategies for integrating him into the current squad. Despite recent signings like Tebogo Potsane, the club remains keen on Matthews, thanks to his versatility.
“He can play on either the left or the right but also as a central midfielder, meaning he can cover up for other players who could be out injured or suspended,” explains a Siya source. The technical team at Chiefs believes Matthews could provide the right solutions to various challenges faced by the team.
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With the winter transfer window on the horizon, Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr has hinted that the club may not be done with transfers. This leaves the possibility open for Matthews to join Chiefs in January. Sources suggest that Matthews could be groomed as a successor to Keagan Dolly, with the 23-year-old learning and playing alongside the experienced player until he eventually takes over.
While bringing European-based players back to South Africa can be challenging, Chiefs seems determined to secure Matthews’ signature. As the saga unfolds, the footballing community eagerly awaits to see if Matthews will return to the PSL and make a significant impact with Kaizer Chiefs.
