Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker reacted to the widely publicised links of attacker Jayden Adams with league champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Sundowns are said to be keen to lure the youngster, Adams to Chloorkop, and Barker says he hopes his attacker can stay with his side and continue to develop.
Word is rife that Stellenbosch could lose Adams to Sundowns at the end of the season, but his mentor, Barker has questioned why any player would want to leave the club. The Carling Knockout Cup champions, Stellies would like to retain the talented youngster and Barker says there will always be talk regarding top performers.
Barker on Transfer Rumour Linking Adams with Sundowns
Looking at the Cape Winelands-based side’s impressive run this season, Stellies are on a remarkable 21-game unbeaten run in all competitions while they are still in contention for the Nedbank Cup title. Interestingly, they will meet Sundowns in the semi-finals of the Ke Yona title and are also challenging for a second-place finish in the DStv Premiership after claiming the Carling Knockout in its inaugural season.
Looking at the 22-year-old Adams who was part of the Bafana Bafana squad that scooped a bronze medal at the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, he is heavily linked with a move to the cash splashing Brazilians.
“There will always be talk because it’s part of football whether in South Africa, England or Germany. When players are doing well, there is always talk of the so-called bigger clubs wanting to get them,” Barker said to Radio 2000.
“But I just believe now that we’re a team that has been in the semi-finals and we have won a cup. Hopefully, we can finish strong in the league and go into Africa. If I’m a player, I’d look at that and stay in Stellenbosch because I think we’re doing something special.”
“We’ll continue to do special things and compete at the highest level. Two or three years ago, maybe players were lured to bigger clubs because they thought they could compete at a higher level but we’re reaching that stage. I also hope that players won’t want to leave the club but speculation will always be there and we will assess that at the end of the season make informed and correct decisions.”
Barker on Losing Talented Attacker to Sundowns
Speaking to Radio 2000’s Thabiso Mosia, Barker seems to be ready to lose his most prized asset but would like to have him on board considering they face a possibility of playing in CAF competitions next season. “We seem to be hitting form at the right time and hopefully, it can continue. There’s still a lot of league matches to play and the Nedbank Cup hopefully we can maintain our form,” added Barker.
“I’m ecstatic because a lot of hard work has been put into the club over many years since our promotion and we have laid a really good foundation. In the beginning, there were a lot of young players that we had to persevere with, and to see them grow into seasoned PSL campaigners and see them go on an unbeaten run of 21 games is remarkable.”
“We’ve won 16 of those games. I think we’ve scored 40 goals and conceded 10. I’m really proud of what the players are achieving. They really work hard and they are a tight unit with a lot of quality. I just think there’s confidence and belief in the team and it’s paying off big time.”
Looking at the league assignments, Stellenbosch FC is set to face Sekhukhune United in the league on Wednesday night at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
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