Cavin Johnson has explained the reason behind midfielder Edson Castillo's reduced game-time, which has seen the Venezuelan international complete just four matches so far in 2024.
Castillo joined Amakhosi at the start of the season under then-head coach Molefi Ntseki and was an immediate sensation.
The 29-year-old scored five goals in his first 16 appearances in the famous Black and Gold colours, including crucial strikes in the quarter-finals and the semi-finals of the MTN8. He completed nine of the first 10 matches of the DStv Premiership season.
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Since the turn of the year though, Castillo's fortunes have turned upside down, with the versatile midfielder having not contributed with an assist or a goal in 2024 and completing a full match on just four occasions, including a 120-minute shift against Milford FC in the Nedbank Cup.
It has also not helped that he is linked with a move away from Chiefs, having apparently attracted interest from abroad.
Speaking to media ahead of the Soweto giants' final home match of the season against Polokwane City, Johnson explained the midfielder's dip in form.
"Players go through forms and [Edson] Castillo is no different," Johnson said when asked by KickOff on Castillo's dip in form.
"The only problem with Castillo is only that he went away with the South American team, Venezuela, and [when] he came back, the players that were or are playing in his position are doing fairly well. So, you don't just change your team.
"Probably that's what has kept him a little back... that the players that are playing in his position are playing well, so he has to understand that."
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Castillo joined the club on a two-year deal and should Chiefs choose against cashing in or renewing, he will be free to negotiate a pre-contractual agreement with another club as of January 2025.
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