Matthew Booth has decided to share his opinion on the topic opened up by Stuart Baxter on “the best right back in the country” a few weeks ago.
Reacting after Kaizer Chiefs’ 1-1 draw away to AmaZulu in the DStv Premiership earlier this month, the Englishman singled out Njabulo Blom for his consistency so far this season, which has been rewarded with a Bafana Bafana call-up.
However, the comment raised a question about the future of Reeve Frosler, the club’s first choice right back in recent years.
“I think the reason he (Baxter) said it was to boost the young man’s confidence. I think he would realize saying that and then having Frosler hear about it would have an (negative) effect,” Booth said in an interview.
“Blom is in the national team, playing regularly now for Chiefs and they’ve come out of a massively disappointing previous season (under Gavin Hunt), which Blom was a part of, albeit in a different position.”
The former Bafana defender argued that Baxter was in fact spoiled for choice in having both Blom (21) and Frosler (23) in his team.
It’s Blom, however, who has had more game time – starting all nine games so far for Chiefs, while Frosler has featured in half of them.
“In my opinion, if you compare the two, they offer very different characteristics to the game. One major advantage that Frosler has over Blom is that he can cut in onto his left foot very easily, so he uses both legs equally so,” said Booth. “But Blom is very good at keeping the ball. He gets into the attacking areas a lot, and when he’s in those areas he hardly gives the ball away, which is a big positive from him. I think Chiefs are pretty lucky to have two players of great quality in that area, but for me to make a judgment on who’s better it a bit unfair. Both players offer something different, which Chiefs can utilize to the maximum when needed.”