Chislett urged to raise Kaizer Chiefs impact in pivotal second season

Ethan Chislett has been challenged to step up his influence at Kaizer Chiefs in what is shaping up to be a defining second campaign for the midfielder at Naturena.

The 25-year-old signed a two-year contract, with an option for a further season, when he joined Chiefs at the start of last term after returning from a spell in Europe. The club will expect a significantly stronger contribution in 2024-25 if that option is to be taken up.

Chislett’s debut season in South African football was slow to ignite. Although born in the country, he had never played professionally there before last year, having left for England as a child. His introduction into the Amakhosi first team was delayed until late in the campaign, with his first appearance only coming after 28 matches had already been played.

From that point, he accumulated just 360 minutes across nine outings in all competitions, with none of those appearances lasting the full 90 minutes. Under a new manager and with a full pre-season behind him, expectations around his role have now increased.

‘Expectation he contributes more’

Former Mpumalanga Black Aces goalkeeper Nick Gindre, who like Chislett also represented AFC Wimbledon, believes the midfielder is now under pressure to justify his place and push for regular game time.

“I think the expectation will be that he contributes more this season under the new manager because he is now familiar with the club and the league,” Gindre told the publication.

He warned, though, that the adaptation from English lower-league football to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) should not be underestimated.

“The challenges that come with making the switch from playing lower division in the UK to the PSL must never be underestimated.

“It is a different and difficult world here in the PSL.

“South African football is not like anywhere in the world and very difficult.

“In the UK it is all structural while in the PSL it is more free flowing here with the licence to be creative.”

Contrasting football cultures

Gindre, who settled in South Africa after his playing days and now works as a strength and conditioning coach, says the stylistic contrast between the UK and the PSL is significant and can take time for new arrivals to absorb.

According to the former goalkeeper, local players tend to favour a patient, possession-based approach rather than the more direct, quick-penetration style often used in the English lower leagues.

“South African footballers love little passes, slow build up instead of playing it into the channel and over the top to penetrate quicker,” he explained.

“From my experience when I came, they thought I was too strict and too disciplined because I felt we needed to do more extras and be in the gym a lot more.

“It is part of the culture that you need to understand.”

‘He needs to grab his chance’

With Chislett now having a full PSL season behind him, Gindre feels this coming campaign must see an upturn in both his minutes and his impact.

“But then with Ethan’s second season, I think now that he has adjusted, he should get more minutes.

“I’m sure he knows it as well that he needs to grab his chance.

“I have confidence in him because he wouldn’t have played for AFC Wimbledon if he wasn’t good enough,” Gindre added.

Chiefs, who have overhauled their technical team ahead of the new season, will be looking for greater creative and attacking output from midfield as they attempt to improve on a disappointing recent run of campaigns. Chislett’s ability to adapt fully to the PSL’s demands – and to the club’s expectations – is likely to play a key role in determining whether his stay in Naturena extends beyond the initial two-year deal.