Former Moroka Swallows coach Dylan Kerr claims the Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Teboho Mokoena and Ronwen Williams are too old to move to Europe.
Kerr has coached a couple of Premier Soccer League teams such as Swallows, Marumo Gallants and now-defunct Mpumalanga Black Aces. Speaking to GOAL, the English coach said Mokoena(27) and Williams(32) should have left for Europe five years ago.
.”No disrespect to Ronwen [Williams], Teboho [Mokoena], and others, but I think they are too old now for Europe. They are supposed to have moved at an early age, below 25,” Kerr told GOAL.
”Williams and some other PSL players are top quality but it’s a little bit late for them to move abroad.
“I don’t think anybody [in PSL] is ready to go abroad if I’m honest. I have watched the PSL for over six years now and I can’t really Identify someone who’s actually stood up now below the age of 25 and that’s the age target in Europe,” he said on Sundowns and other PSL players.
“Like I said, [Evidence] Makgopa would have been playing in the EPL, had he gone to Denmark when there were offers. So, it’s like all the players are scared to move as early as possible,” said the former Black Leopards coach.
Having impressed for Sundowns and Bafana Bafana this season, Mokoena and Willians are linked with a move to Europe. The former has impressed several overseas teams and also Al Ahly but no official offer has been made to Downs.
Kerr believes that more young talent in the country needs to be exposed to Europe early.
“PSL has a lot of good young stars who need opportunity. Teams like SuperSport United keep giving youngsters a chance and if youth get a chance they get stronger and that is how the EPL teams are going,” he added.
“If other countries had access to football sites like YScout and HUDL which show video highlights of players who are in form and playing well for club or country, it could help PSL players to be recognized at an early age.”
Besides Rownen and Mokoena, Khuliso Mudau is another Sundowns player linked with a move to Europe. The lanky defender is already 28 and might not attract clubs from competitive leagues.
