Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Sergio Dos Santos has urged his former club to sign Brazilian striker Lucas Robeiro Costa.
The 27-year-old controversially left Mamelodi Sundowns shortly after the season started. He was named the PSL Footballer of the Year and even represented Masandawana at the FIFA Club World Cup last year in July.
Ribeiro went on to join La Liga 2 side Cultural Leonesa. His season has been average by his standards and there are rumours that the talented brazilian forward might return to the PSL.
Dos Santos feels Kaizer Chiefs should break the bank for Ribeiro.
“Ribeiro is an exceptional player and [would be] a valuable addition for Amakhosi at this time. He has the ability to impact any team in South Africa in a big way,” he told KickOff.
“If he is available and can be brought back to South Africa, I would strongly recommend that Chiefs get him. We all saw Ribeiro’s influence during his tenure at Sundowns. He has both skill and situational awareness on and off the field.”
“He understands the game thoroughly and is the type of player who can motivate others. The current challenge at Chiefs is the absence of such a leader, an individual who can carry the team and command respect from opponents.
Ribeiro might be a big success at Kaizer Chiefs but…
Dos Santos believes Ribeiro could uplift the club especially the young players.
“At 26, Ribeiro remains young and is a promising investment. His playing style has the potential to uplift younger players at Chiefs. He is precisely the type of player needed to elevate the club to greater heights,” added the ex-Chiefs coach.
Dos Santos also mentioned that Ribeiro could
“Chiefs require a creative playmaker, someone willing to give that extra effort. Ribeiro could serve as a key figure for Chiefs, similar to [Relebohile] Mofokeng’s role at Pirates,” said Dos Santos.
“Currently, the club lacks that presence. Ribeiro can be for Chiefs what Mofokeng is for Pirates. Signing Ribeiro would be a strategic and beneficial decision.”
