Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Fabian McCarthy has offered his assessment on his son and Amakhosi reserve team defender, Aden McCarthy’s readiness for first team.
The left-footed centre-back, Aden McCarthy, has been training occasionally with the Chiefs senior team since 2023 while also playing for the reserve side.
He has yet to follow several of his erstwhile DDC teammates like Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba, Mfundo Vilakazi, Donay Jansen, and Samkelo Zwane, among others, into the first team.
Fabian McCarthy has admitted that featuring youngsters, especially defenders, at Chiefs hasn’t been easy due to the team’s difficulties.
However, he stated his wish for his son to break into the first team now, confident that the latter has what it takes.
FABIAN MCCARTHY BELIEVES HIS SON ADEN IS READY FOR FIRST TEAM CHALLENGE
“I think it’s different dynamics in different clubs. Pirates is on a good run and the coach can take that chance to say ‘let me throw [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi in there with the two or three other players,” said McCarthy.
“Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] came in when the team is doing well. [Mohau] Nkota came in when the team was doing. Those are offensive players and [Orlando] Pirates have been solid.
“Even on the side of [Mamelodi] Sundowns, you look at it, they can throw [Malibongwe] Khoza in, they can throw [Siyabonga] Mabena or somebody else in.
“But on the sidelines of Chiefs you understand, it’s a bit tricky because the results haven’t been coming.
“The coach can’t take that risk also in some games to say let me throw in a defender, let me throw the young man in. But I feel he’s ready. Obviously, I want him to break into the team.”
The 21-year-old, Aden McCarthy played a pivotal role in helping the reserves win the DDC title for the first time since its inception.
He has also gained senior international experience by representing Bafana Bafana in the CHAN qualifiers, playing alongside fringe players drawn from various other PSL clubs.
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