Kaizer Chiefs youngster Njabulo Blom says he has developed an excellent working relationship with coach Ernst Middendorp and feels the German believes in him.
Blom is an Amakhosi youth product and has quickly become an important first-team player thanks in no small part to his versatility.
The 19-year-old played as a central defender in the youth team but has recently been deployed as a right-back, while Middendorp also reckons he can fill in as a defensive midfielder.
“My relationship with the coach is good, he always asks me where I feel comfortable playing and because I’ve been playing a lot of positions from like an early age,” Blom told Far Post.
“It’s easy. I usually tell him that he can put me in any position because my task is to fulfil the job that he gives me.”
Blom made an impact in Chiefs’ win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premiership, and went on to earn a place in the starting lineup in the Telkom Knockout victory against Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates.
“It means a lot to me to be playing against big teams like Sundowns and Orlando Pirates,” he added.
“It shows that where I come from, I have been developed well. It shows my hard work – it shows that I have been disciplined and working hard. I haven’t wasted the opportunity I was given through the MDC and playing in the Castle League (the fourth tier of SA football).
“It is a great feeling it shows that the coach believes in me to play against big teams.”