New Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker Marcelo Allende has explained why he joined the club and what Mauricio Affonso told him before he signed.
Allende, 23, joined Sundowns from Montevideo City Torque this month in a deal worth a reported R51-million according to reports in local media and has enjoyed an impressive start thus far.
Two goals in his first two substitute appearances has earned him three consecutive starts in the league since and when speaking to the media at Chloorkop he addressed wide-ranging topics of his career and ambitions, one of which is to excel and earn a place in Martin Lasarte’s squad for the senior Chile national team again.
While he conceded he is in sole control of that possibilities, amid criticism from his homeland for moving to an African club, Allende is under no illusions over the tasks that await him at Masdanawana.
“It’s the best team in Africa, I want to win trophies, it’s good to come here,” Allende said when asked by iDiski Times why he came to South Africa.
“I’d like to go back to the national team but it all demands on me and the level I perform, of course, the attention I give on the pitch, scoring goals, assists and helping [Sundowns] to get the attention of the national team coach.”
With Allende following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jorge Acuna to play for the Tshwane giants, he conceded he was not the one he confided in for advice but rather Affonso, who had an injury-hit spell at the club before returning to Uruguay.
“I didn’t speak to Jorge [Acuna], I spoke to the Uruguayan players who played here and [Mauricio] Affonso, he told me the country is very nice, the competition is hard because the other teams are hard on the pitch,” Allende explained.
“The quality of the players and the coaching is very good so I’m pleased with that, and also the quality of the league is interesting because each and every team has their own style of play and they make it difficult against each and every time they step out to play.
“It’s good to work with the coaches, they help us a lot, they know a lot about football, and the knowledge and expertise help us in every aspect of the game.”
Sundowns will face off against AmaZulu for the final DStv Premiership clash before the FIFA international break – at Loftus Versveld on Sunday afternoon (15h00).
