Claasen’s future at Lech uncertain
DAYLON Claasen’s coach at Polish side Lech Poznan has admitted he does not know whether the club will extend the Bafana Bafana international’s stay past this season.
The 24-year-old signed a one-year deal in August and has shown flashes of brilliance in what has otherwise been a largely forgettable stay in Poland.
The club have admitted their concerns over certain weaknesses, but have also been hugely impressed with other parts of his play.
The problem, it appears, is that these top performances have been reserved for friendly games and Claasen has not been able to hit those high notes in league matches.
The question of his contract was raised again this week after he scored a brace in a friendly victory over third-tier Warta Poznan on Saturday, but coach Jerzy Cyrak says Claasen still needs to prove that he can play a full 90 minutes and maintain his level.
Cyrak is also mystified about why bigger matches seem to bring out the worst in Claasen.
“To be honest, we don’t care if someone is playing in front of a large crowd or a small number of people, as a professional footballer you have to deal with it,” Cyrak said. “Playing a full game should be a pleasure for him, not a problem.
“I don’t know what it is with Daylon, but he must overcome his weaknesses.
“His contract ends in June, Lech has an option to extend it and so we have a few weeks to make a decision on the matter.”
Claasen has made 11 starts this season, mostly in the first half of the campaign, and six substitute appearances, scoring two goals in the process.
He has also not been helped by niggling injuries which have kept him sidelined for parts of the season and scuppered his attempts to get a run of games under his belt.