What the Siya crew has been told…

The changes that have taken place within PSL clubs since the end of the 2021/22 season have not been by chance – in fact, they have been strategically planned as clubs align themselves with developing leagues in the world and to curb costs.

In comparison to developing leagues in the world, the opportunity cost of selling players from the PSL is being missed, which is largely influenced by the high average age in the DStv Premiership.

In addition, big-money age bills for experienced players have been cut drastically.

This has seen a number of experienced household names pushed by the wayside, and according to several well-placed insiders, the current approach is unlikely to change. Some players opted to leave on their own account after salary cuts were proposed, while other players did not have their contracts renewed.

An independent source has explained the scenario for some of the veteran players, where salary cuts have been proposed or new deals offered elsewhere. The source explained that some players had been earning between R250 000 and R300 000 a month and are now being offered between R50 000 at R80 000 at a so-called small team in the topflight, or around R30 000 in the second tier. The source indicated that players are not ready for this.

“The sad thing about footballers is that they don’t save enough while they are still at the prime of their careers and they like a high life. They like to take expensive things on credit, and it becomes a disadvantage to them when they no longer earn big salaries, and with the money having dried up.

“One thing I know of is that most of the players that are still up and down in search of contracts in their late 30s didn’t save enough while they were still in their prime. Yes, they might say it is about the passion and all of that, but that doesn’t apply to all of them as some are desperate to make up for wasted time. Sadly, by the time some of these guys are trying to save, it is already too late as they are no longer on high salaries that they once were on,” said the source.

With the veterans pushed by the wayside, clubs are looking at youngsters instead. They want to invest in young players that can be sold both locally and overseas, and where they can make money.

A player like 18-year-old Mduduzi Shabalala at Kaizer Chiefs, who scored his first goal for Arthur Zwane’s side on debut last week, is an example of the new generation of footballers in the PSL.

Clubs are adamant that the new approach of developing young players and cutting the veterans’ wage bill is the only way to approach the tough economic climate, but not everyone in the fraternity is happy.