The verdict on whether Mamelodi Sundowns have had the full worth of the USD3 million (currently approx. R57 million) that they reportedly paid for the transfer of Marcelo Allende has been issued.
Though Allende has been ignored for the Chilean national team since moving South Africa, the 24-year-old has been good value for money completing a reported USD 3 million (approx. R56 million) move from Uruguayan club Montevideo City Torque in July 2022.
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Allende needed no time to settle last season and eventually closed off the campaign as a league champion after featuring in 33 games across all competitions.
Transfermarkt has the Sundowns star's value at 2 million Euro (approx. R40 million) which is only inferior to Peter Shalulile whose estimate price tag is placed at 2,5 million (approx. R50 million) by the same website.
Into the new season, Allende has continued as a regular starting all 12 games that he has played for The Brazilians this season.
In Wednesday night's penalty shootout defeat to TS Galaxy, the little Chilean put his best forward with a goal and an assist playing as captain with fellow South American Junior Mendieta helping pull the midfield strings.
Such has been Allende's influence at Sundowns that he has made collecting man of the match awards a habit and was again in contention for the R100 000 prize at stake on Wednesday.
"All successful teams have what we call magicians," points out Rui Frois, who has links with Latin Americans due to his ability to speak Portuguese and Spanish.
"Over the years, we have watched (Andrea) Pirlo, Jay Jay Okocha, and the late Shoes Moshoeu.
"The scouting team of Mamelodi Sundowns have found their choir master, in the wizard Allende.
"He conducts the orchestra with such aplomb, making all the other players perform to the best.
"Allende enables Themba Zwane, Tebogo Mokwena, and others to shine.
"Allende dictates the tempo of the game, he finds the pockets, and creates space.
"He is an intelligent player.
"We must remember that he spent time training with the first team at Arsenal in the United Kingdom.
"Allende joins transition effortlessly.
"You would think that coach Rulani (Mokwena) has given him a free role, the freedom to be a puppet master by pulling the strings during the patient build up from the back.
"The Mamelodi Sundowns game model is based on Allende.
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"We hope that Mamelodi Sundowns will hang onto him for the next three seasons.
"This will afford Themba Zwane an opportunity to enjoy the final three years of his career and earn Tebogo Mokwena the recognition as one of the best midfielders to come out of South Africa," details Frois.
Allende – who has one cap – was last called up while still playing for Montevideo City Torque in Uruguay and sat on the bench against Bolivia in February 2022.
The attacking midfielder earned caps at Under-17 and was captain of the Under-20 national team.