Former Kaizer Chiefs midfield workhorse Njabulo Blom is regarded as the missing piece and real deal by the St Louis City supporters, as he continues to impress week in and week out in the Major Soccer League (MLS) in the US.
The South Africa-born made a shock exit from Amakhosi in December last year to join compatriot and head coach Bradley Carnell in the US.
Njabulo Blom did not have the best of starts at his new club. He encountered health issues which put him on the sidelines for a couple of weeks, but soon after his recovery, the 23-year-old hit the ground running, fit in like a glove and made an instant impact, which has since made him a fan favourite.
“We [fans] are absolutely thrilled with Njabulo Blom. At first all we knew is that his highlights were good, he was a player for one of the best club teams in SA [Kaizer Chiefs],” Matt Barker, a local podcaster, told Sunday World.
“Our sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel called him our ‘missing piece’, but wow has he not performed? We keep saying he’s so heavily underrated as one of the best defensive midfielders in the MLS. More matches will show the US that he’s the real deal, I’m sure of it.
“He’s such a difference maker when he’s on the field – so good with the ball at his feet, good decision making, agile with his movements and makes himself so big on defence. We saw the passion when he was first signed, so we knew we were getting someone special.
“He takes away so much opponent space. Love having him and he’s been welcomed as one of our own too.”
Barker said the visibility of Blom’s jerseys are increasing, as more fans are wearing them. The Bafana midfielder has since cemented his place in Carnell’s starting
line-up, making 13 appearances for St Louis.
Carnell and his charges have punched above their weight in their debut season and Blom has played a pivotal role in their efforts to clinch the MLS Western Conference with 13 games remaining.
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