Chester manager backs new US loan deal
Malawi national team star Yamikani Chester’s representative James Woods has defended the decision to loan the midfielder again at the expense of returning to his parent Czech club MFK Vyškov.
Chester penned a three-year deal at Vyškov, but ended up spending his first season at United States’ United Soccer League (USL) championship side North Carolina FC on loan.
Last week, he signed a year-long loan deal at Las Vegas Lights, another team in the USL, the second division professional football league.
In an interview, Woods said remaining in the US would help expose Chester.
“The USL Championship has more exposure in terms of viewership reaching over 84 million viewers. We believe it gives him a greater platform to showcase his talents,” he said.
Woods also hailed Las Vegas Lights as having “an excellent development scheme.”
“They also have a coach Eric Wynalda who has over 100 caps for the USA national team and played professionally in the German top league, the Bundesliga, he is someone who will help improve Chester’s performance,” he said.
The United Kingdom-based representive also revealed that there were more offers for Chester before he committed to Vegas.
“There were offers from several clubs around the world but we believed this loan move allows for Chester to up his game and in return we have the right offer for his career,” he said.
North Carolina, he said, also asked for the former Be Forward Wanderers winger to renew the deal but they opted against the idea.
“As you are already aware last season Chester would perform well and then sit out the next game so after consultation with him we wanted him to develop further and be in a club which can help him do that,” Woods stated.
Announcing Chester’s joining Vegas, their coach Wynalda described him as a versatile winger.
“He’s faster and a little bit more experienced. He has all the qualities that we look for in that position. We had a player profile that we wanted to fit this off-season to ensure we improve and he checked all the boxes,” he was quoted on the club website www.lasvegaslightsfc.com.
