Chester courts overseas clubs’ interest
United States-based Malawian midfielder Yamikani Chester has attracted interest from Asia, Middle East and Europe with his agent expressing optimism that offers will flow once football business resumes after the coronavirus disruption.
James Woods, United Kingdom-based regional coordinator for the midfielder’s management firm Rainbow Football, said this in interview yesterday.
He said: “A number of professional teams from those continents have made enquiries and had signalled they will monitor him once he starts playing at Las Vegas Lights.”
Chester signed a one year loan deal at the United States League championship side, but his parent club is Czech Republic outfit MFK Vyškov signed him from Be Forward Wanderers two years ago.
Woods said Chester has spent a long time without playing after his loan deal at US North Carolina FC which has led into interested teams to withhold their offers.
“Most teams we have talked to want to see how he will play at Vegas,” he said while keeping the names of the clubs close to his chest.
Chester has not played for Vegas as the season was suspended just after one match due to Covid-19 pandemic which has affected sport events globally.
The midfielder is stuck in the US where he says he is working hard to improve his fitness.
Chester said in an interview: “The club has been absolutely excellent in keeping us updated on how to keep safe but also utilising new technologies to ensure that we can train in isolation.
“We hold team meetings online, have training and nutrition plans and we are monitored on how we are progressing by the technologies the club has provided.”
Last year, the 26-year-old played 21 games at North Carolina FC and netted five times.
Looking ahead, he believes he now understands US football better and would impress to ensure he secures a new deal within the country or elsewhere.
“All I have to do is work hard and let my talent and work ethic impress the coaching staff to ensure I am selected. I now know and understand the league and have last year’s experience to build on,” he said.
