Njabulo Blom: From being St Louis City's best midfielder to benchwarmer! New Philadelphia Union coach Bradley Carnell explains why Kaizer Chiefs loanee fell out of favour at MLS club amid Amakhosi struggles

Njabulo Blom returned to play Premier Soccer League football again after rejoining Kaizer Chiefs on loan before the start of the current season.

This was after he struggled for game time in his second season at Major League Soccer side St Louis City FC after starting life in Major League Soccer as a regular.

Bradley Carnell who signed Blom at St Louis City has explained why he thinks Blom fell out of favour in the USA.

“I think it’s got to do with competition,” Carnell told FARPost.

“It’s got to do with the moment you find yourself in. I don’t think Njabulo was the fittest at the time that I left.

“So for him to come into the team [ was not easy], and then we acquired a new player at the beginning of the season – Chris Durkin, a different profile of a holding midfielder," added the former Amakhosi and Wits University defender.

“Njabulo not being at his best or his fittest because his preseason was a bit hampered, he couldn’t get going as much as he had liked. I think it became a catch-up now. I don’t think all playing cards were equal.

“I think he had to play some catch-up. Unfortunately, he ran out of time to get up to speed with what was happening during the season. And then the club made a decision [to loan him out].”

Blom's struggles to become a key Chiefs player this season could jeopardize his chances of returning to St Louis City and enjoying some regular football there.

He has featured in eight league games including four starts while featuring in one Cup match.

His report card does not currently read glowingly and this is something he might need to improve on.

However, the 25-year-old still has time to redeem himself from now until the end of the PSL season.

Chiefs are in the Mother City to face Cape Town City in a PSL match at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.

After missing Amakhosi's last match against Chippa United, he would be hoping to play on Sunday and start 2025 on a positive note.