MAMELODI Sundowns are looking at loaning out midfielder George Maluleka to get some game time.
This is due to the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder having failed to convince co-coaches Rhulani Mokwena, Manqoba Mngqithi and Steve Komphela since he joined the club from Amakhosi in the middle of 2019-20 season.
The trio of coaches prefer Andile Jali, Haashim Domingo and Rivaldo Coetzee in central midfield where Maluleka was brought in to operate.
After it was clear that Maluleka had no future with Chiefs, the Soweto giants decided to part ways with him two seasons ago.
At that time Chiefs, under coach Ernst Middendorp, were on top of the DStv Premiership when the 2019-20 season was halted in March last year due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
By June last year, Chiefs could not agree on a short term deal with Maluleka to remain at the club and decided to part ways with him. They felt, with Chiefs neck and neck with Downs for the league title, he would not give Amakhosi the same commitment after it was clear he had signed with Sundowns.
But Maluleka’s absence at Chiefs was felt as Sundowns went on to win the league title in the last match of that season.
But since he arrived at Chloorkop, Maluleka has not featured much. Last season he only started five league matches, one cup and once in the Caf Champions League.
This season, where Sundowns have been unstoppable, Maluleka has yet to start a match and has only featured in two league games as a substitute which is equivalent to 15 minutes.
It is clear Sundowns have no interest in using Maluleka, who signed a five-year deal when he arrived which will expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.
“Sundowns are looking at loaning Maluleka out in the January transfer window,” said SunSport’s mole. “Because he’s facing stiff competition in the central midfield role.”
At the beginning of last season rumours surfaced that Sundowns were looking at loaning him out even before a ball was officially kicked, but co-coaches Mngqithi and Mokwena rebuffed those rumours, saying it was disrespectful to the player.
But in the face of how he has fared since he arrived, Maluleka has no future at Sundowns with Jali and Coetzee the preferred pairing in the heart of the midfield.
Sundowns manager Yogesh Singh and Maluleka’s agent Sean Roberts’ phones rang unanswered when called for comment.
