Kaizer Chiefs aren't buying the right players. That's the blunt message from former co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef, who says the club must stop relying on development players if it wants to win the PSL again.

Ben Youssef, who alongside Cedric Kaze led Amakhosi to a third-place finish last season — their best in six years — was sacked by the club this week. But before he left, he had a clear shopping list.

Speaking to Andile Ncube on Sports Amplified, Ben Youssef broke down exactly what Chiefs need: one left winger, one midfielder, one left full-back, one goalkeeper and one centre-back.

“The team needs one left winger, one midfielder, one left full-back, one goalkeeper and one centre back.”

The goalkeeper, he said, isn't a starter — just cover for Bruce Bvuma and Brandon Petersen. The other four positions? They must be filled with players who are already match-fit and playing regularly in a top division.

“The other four players must be top players ready to play immediately. They must not have injuries or not be playing.”

Ben Youssef was direct about the club's transfer strategy. He said Chiefs shouldn't be picking from their development ranks if they want to compete for the league title.

“They must be from the top division and ready to play if we want to compete to win the PSL. Otherwise they [Chiefs] can continue the same, bringing in players without experience, and you continue to build step by step, and you take your time to be ready to compete.”

Kaizer Chiefs haven't won the PSL since 2015. Under Ben Youssef and Kaze, they finished third in the Betway Premiership, but the club's management decided to let both coaches go. On Wednesday, Chiefs announced Fernando Da Cruz as their new head coach. Da Cruz previously worked with Ben Youssef and Nasreddine Nabi at the club before leaving for Morocco. He's signed a two-year deal with a one-year option.

Ben Youssef's comments come at a time when Chiefs fans are desperate for a return to glory. The club has been stuck in a cycle of mid-table finishes and early cup exits. His advice suggests that the new coach, Da Cruz, will need to be backed in the transfer market — and that the club's development pipeline isn't producing players ready for the first team.

The question now is whether Chiefs' management will listen to the man they just fired.