"Part of football" – Sunderland player unfazed by transfer fee, backs teammate for big move
03/22/2025 04:52 AM
Eliezer Mayenda’s impressive performances for Sunderland this season saw him receive a call up from Spain’s U21s for this international break.
The forward has scored seven goals and registered five assists from 30 league games for the Championship side.
Sunderland signed him from Sochaux in July 2023. Earlier this month, Mayenda said the French club stood firm with their asking price and only sanctioned the move after the Black Cats accepted their request.
Marca have had a chat with the 19-year-old to discuss time several topics, including his move to Sunderland.
The Spanish newspaper states Mayenda was seen as an ‘elite’ player from a young age.
Responding to this, he said: “When I was 16, but from ages 10 to 15, I had fun in the youth academy with my teammates. When I was 16, things got more serious, but I didn’t think much about it. I played my game, without pressure. I tried to have fun with others and play freely.”
Marca immediately asked the youngster if ‘things get serious in England’. This is when the attacker insisted he’s not intimidated by his transfer fee.
“Yes, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. It was normal; it’s football. If you do well for your team, someone else can pay a transfer fee for you; that’s part of football, I see it as normal,” Mayenda explained.
“I don’t feel like a transfer fee poses any particular pressure for a player; you just have to know that it’s football.
“In my head, I was like, well, I did well at Sochaux, and Sunderland paid a high price for an 18-year-old player. I thought it was a good opportunity to go to a big club, but without the pressure. Knowing that it’s the reward for what you’re doing, if a team comes wanting to have you, it means you’re doing well.”
Back in 2023, L’Equipe had reported Sunderland paid over €1m and Sochaux retain 25% sell on clause.
El Desmarque have also interviewed the Sunderland player, who explains he initially found it difficult to adapt in England.
“It’s a different kind of football, very physical and competitive. Any team there can beat anyone. I’ve been lucky to have started getting opportunities with Sunderland, and the adaptation is going very well. After all, the more games you play, the better you adapt, but it’s true that it’s difficult at first,” he added.
Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham is the brother of Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. El Desmarque state Mayenda backs his club teammate to follow his brother’s footsteps to make a big move.
"Jobe is a great player. We don’t talk much about Jude, but I have a very good relationship with Jobe. He’s very talented, a hard worker, and if he continues like this, he’ll be able to play anywhere," he added.
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