Central midfielders

Willard Katsande

The Chiefs midfield veteran has once again been first-choice selection whenever fit this campaign. In Solinas’ very open 4-4-2 formation, he was tasked with an incredible amount of ground to cover and looked exposed on numerous occasions. When Maluleka came in to partner him in a deeper role towards the end of the Italian’s reign, his form improved. Under Middendorp, he has again been picked on every occasion that he has been fit (except for the derby last week end), but Chiefs looked far more progressive and impressive against SuperSport and Wits when Maluleka was the midfielder in Katsande’s absence. In the defeat to Sundowns, the Zimbabwean was used in the middle of a back three and his lack of pace was exposed, and the same happened against United – he moved to centre-back in the second half and made an error for a Zesco goal. He has scored three goals in his last six PSL outings, and he still has value, but time may be coming for him to make way for younger, more athletic options in midfield. Middendorp may agree, hence Katsanda being left on the bench for the Soweto Giants. 6/10

George Maluleka

This has been a very stop- start season for ‘Mido’, missing much of it with injury. In the early months under Solinas, he was on the treatment table and finally returned in mid-September to start in a much-changed side against Free State Stars. After Chiefs’ second Soweto Derby defeat of the season, he replaced Ntshangase to strengthen the midfield defensively and did a solid job. Under the new coach, he has captained

the team on occasion and really excelled in the SuperSport win as a deep-lying playmaker, whilst also scoring the winning goal, and in the victory against Wits. A niggling Achilles problem has seen him miss recent matches, but he looks like a favourite of Middendorp and should end the season strongly. 6/10

Siphelele Ntshangase

After joining in January last season and struggling for regular minutes, Solinas decided to convert him from a number 10 into a deeper midfielder this season. Although he naturally had problems with his defensive duties, his passing from a deeper role was superb. He ability to find Billiat in tight spaces has seen him create more chances for Zimbabwean than any other player. This is despite Ntshangase losing his place to Maluleka towards the end of Solinas’ reign. Under Middendorp, he has not been a regular and the coach seems to have doubts over his mobility in a demanding three-man midfield. His passing and chemistry with Billiat are unrivalled in the squad though, and that was shown in his display against Cape Town City, where he created several clear chances which Chiefs missed. 7.5/10

Philani Zulu

After doing well as a wingback last season, he has been a back-up winger under Solinas and then mostly injured under Middendorp. Once fit, he is likely to resume a left central midfield role where the German coach used him to good effect against SuperSport. He has surprisingly scored four goals in his very limited outings, and seems the ideal “shuttler” for the coach’s 4-4-2 diamond or 3-5-2 systems. 6.5/10

Kgotso Malope

The 24- year- old midfielder has had a strange season. He played 20 minutes from the bench in the MTN8, then was handed a league start against Celtic. He scored the second goal in that game but has not played since. Solinas banished him to train with the MDC side, and he has not been in the picture under Middendorp either. No rating

Andriamirado Andrianarimanana

The man nicknamed ‘Dax’ has had a very slow start to life in Naturena. He has made just one league start, performing solidly in a deeper midfield role against Black Leopards. Under Middendorp, he started the Confed Cup match at home against Elgeco Plus on the right of the diamond, and he came on at halftime against Zesco as a right wingback. Seems there is more to come from the skilful Malagasy midfielder though. 5/10