Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has made clear the club’s determination to retain Marcelo Allende, describing the Chilean midfielder as an outstanding professional whose influence extends well beyond his performances on the pitch.
Allende is in the final season of his contract, having joined the Pretoria club in August 2022, and could leave as a free agent at the end of the campaign.
Sundowns are expected to open discussions over an extension, although the 27-year-old will ultimately decide whether to continue his career at Chloorkop.
Cardoso is in no doubt about the value of keeping a player who has become a regular fixture in the midfield, combining tireless running with the technical ability to dictate the tempo of matches.
“We are going to do our best, I am pretty sure, to keep him with us for a long time,” Cardoso said after Sundowns’ 1-0 Carling Knockout quarter-final victory over Golden Arrows.
“He is so consistent and he has been doing it for so many years. It’s a pleasure to see him training, it’s a pleasure to see him playing. He is one of the first to arrive and he is one of the last to go.”
The coach also highlighted Allende’s remarkable work rate, revealing that he regularly covers approximately 12km per match.
However, it is his influence on the wider squad that appears to make him particularly valuable to the Portuguese coach.
“Players like those become part of our environment and they help to shape character and attitude,” Cardoso said. “Marcelo makes everybody around him better players, no doubt.”
Sundowns will hope that recognition translates into a new agreement, but the prospect of a move abroad could complicate negotiations, with opportunities in Europe and the Americas potentially appealing to the midfielder.