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Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Yusuf Maart says Edson Castillo has raised their level since his arrival and says his second season brings added pressure.
Maart, 28, arrived at Chiefs from Sekhukhune United, where he emerged as one of the leading figures in the DStv Premiership as their club captain.
A Bafana Bafana regular at the time, his marquee arrival brought optimism but endured an indifferent and trophyless debut season at Amakhosi.
However, with the arrival of the Venezuelan international to play alongside him, there are reasons to be excited, according to the former Orlando Pirates talent.
“It is difficult [to communicate] but he understands football, so he will see the movement out of everything [how we play] but we’re thankful [to have him], he’s a great player, to play with him is great and it’s not making it easy for us at training,” Maart said when asked by iDiski Times about Castillo’s impact.
“All the midfielders, everyone is putting in the effort, working hard and yeah. Any midfielder who comes to any team [helps raise the level], will always uplift us, puts the effort in and basically all the midfielders during the season need [to raise to that level].”
When pressed about his own performances with four goals and two assists in 41 games, mostly featuring in a deep-lying playmaker role – Maart feels there’s another level to reach that he needs to work harder to tap into as he looks to help bring back silverware.
“I think from my side, I need to work harder, push myself to work harder on and off the ball, to make the team play wherever I can,” he added.
“The second season is harder than the first, all the players who are here [longer] will be under more pressure because we need to win something at the end of the day.”
Maart is expected to line-up alongside Castillo on Saturday when Chiefs take on Royal AM at the FNB Stadium (17h30).