Amid speculation over his future, Bernard Parker is only focused on finishing the season strongly and would only consider his future at Kaizer Chiefs after the conclusion of the current campaign.
The veteran forward has been a noble servant since he joined Amakhosi in 2011 from FC Twente. In that period, he has gone on to feature in well over 300 matches for the DStv Premiership outfit.
In total, Bernard has scored 55 goals alongside 38 assists in 320 total appearances for Kaizer Chiefs. Not many can boast of such longevity and performing at the highest level at one single club than the 35-year-old.
However, there is talk of his future at the FNB stadium. Bernard’s current contract with Amakhosi comes to an end in June and there is talk of the club making plans for a summer overhaul after the conclusion of the campaign. It remains to be seen if the veteran forward would be included in such a ‘clearout’ but his agent Mike Makaab has given an update on the player’s situation.
As per the agent, contract talks are not on the agenda at the moment and would only be discussed come the end of the season.
Makaab was quoted to have said: “We truly are not going to – and we’ve had a chat with Bernard on it – look at this seriously until closer to the end of the season.
“We’re not desperate‚ he’s not desperate. And we’ll sit down and have a discussion with him as to how he sees his future as a player. And thereafter we’ll look at what our next step is.”
Makaab added: “He’s a great role model to the younger players‚ he’s a great personality in the change room‚ he’s got incredible experience.
“And as I said to somebody the other day‚ Bernard doesn’t want to be playing 90 minutes every week. But players have got to put their hand up and say‚ ‘I deserve to play ahead of him‚ and when I do get the chance I’m going to show you what I can produce’.”
Bernard has struggled with fitness issues over recent seasons and only recently just ended a 764-day goal drought after scoring the only goal in Chiefs’ 1-0 victory over Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League.
Given his loyalty and exploits for the club over the years, he could be in line for a one-year extension but only time will tell what becomes of that.