Saile’s time seems to be up

Christian Saile’s spell with Kaizer Chiefs has been frustrating. News reports indicate the club has finally given up on the Congolese attacker.

Kaizer Chiefs ready to let go of Saile

25-year-old Christian Saile has struggled to cement a place in the starting XI. He arrived on a high-profile transfer in January 2023. He’s been utilized almost exclusively as a right-winger rather than a central number 9. He’s got seven goals and four assists in 54 appearances. Not a great return, is it

“They have tried to give him a chance and be patient with him, but they are not getting the returns they expected from him,” a source told Soccer Laduma.

“Yes, it’s true there have been clubs who have shown interest in him but things are not coming together.

“And the team is looking to get another striker and a winger, the two positions which Saile can play. The plan is now to release him and create that space for players to come in.

A second source said, “They have looked at all angles, including how much the club is spending already. If they are to bring in more players while there are players who are not really playing or performing, it will balloon the salary bill, and they are avoiding that.

“So letting Saile go is one way of cutting on the costs at the club hence even the loan deal could be out but releasing him seems to be the right solution.”

Kaizer Chiefs

The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya

Foreign stars on the move

According to Soccer-Laduma, Chiefs will let go of a quartet of senior fringe players in June 2025.

“The situation is a bit tricky for Edson (Castillo) now. At first, they had offered to extend his contract but then things changed after his injury, with the player also expressing the desire to leave after his contract runs out. That’s almost the same situation with Ranga (Chivaviro).

“The club had shown an interest to renew his contract at the start of the season but things are changing bit by bit due to his dwindling form at the moment. As for Edmilson Dove and George Matlou, they renewed for one year at the start of the season until June 2025 and it seems that’s the end of the road for them. But the club is busy right now discussing the futures of all these players and by the end of January we would know who is staying and who is going though it’s clear for others,” said a source.

Saile’s name could easily be added to this list