Benni McCarthy rates Relebohile Mofokeng's Barcelona chances, disagrees with Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos on Orlando Pirates star's physicality

Benni McCarthy has joined in the talk about Relebohile Mofokeng's possible move to FC Barcelona.

The Orlando Pirates star continues to rise and the Barca links have attracted comments from the likes of Kermit Erasmus and even the 20-year-old's father.

“I think he [Mofokeng] needs to play, not go to a country where to adapt, no, he needs to play," said McCarthy.

“So, I think a Portuguese League would be good, La Liga teams where he’s going to play and not sit on the bench.

“La Liga would suit him very nicely. He is not going to play there [Barcelona or Real Madrid],  he must go to a place like (RCD) Mallorca, or Athletic Bilbao [where he can play with] Nico Williams. 

“He must be in those kinds of teams, Celta Vigo would be a nice team for him as well, Espanyol, just a place where his talent won’t be wasted," the Bafana legend added. 

“France might be also a good place for him because of the climate at least there’s sunshine like South Africa. I think Portugal, Spain and France."

Bafana coach Hugo Broos is on record in expressing concern about Mofokeng's physique, saying it is the reason he has not been starting the 20-year-old.

But McCarthy feels the Pirates star's physicality is not an issue.

“Maybe one day if I coach in England and he’s still young enough I’ll take him," said McCarthy.

"England will be almost impossible right now because the coach must understand you. 

"Physicality has nothing to do with him. He has got skill, he will easily play in England but the coaches who don't understand him will never play him. 

"You need a coach who understands you and knows ‘What am I looking to get out of this player?’ Then you play, other than that, it’s difficult.”

With Mofokeng already a Bafana Bafana international, he would want to avoid what looks like a regressive situation affecting young South African players who move overseas.

Shandre Campbell was a big hit in the Premier Soccer League but went to Belgium to be sent to Club Brugge's B team amid hopes that he had developed enough to play in the top-flight league.

The same happened to Olwethu Makhanya who was making progress at Stellenbosch only to start playing in the Major League Soccer reserve competition when he joined Philadelphia Union.

Cassius Mailula was a Premier Soccer League Golden Boot chaser and Bafana Bafana international but spent time playing for Toronto FC reserve team which hindered his progress.

Mofokeng continues to gain experience in the PSL, Caf Champions League and on the international scene with Bafana.

That is preparing him for bigger challenges and a higher level of football in Europe.