Eliezer Mayenda has scored three goals for Sunderland in their past two league wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City.
The forward has taken his overall tally of this season to seven goals and five assists from 28 Championship matches.
Monday’s edition of AS has published an interview with the Sunderland player and it’s mainly focusing on his international future.
The 19-year-old was born in Spain and moved to France at the age of eight and is eligible to represent both countries.
He spent time at Breuillet FC, CS Brétigny and Sochaux’s academies during his time in France. The latter even promoted the youngster to their first team in 2021 and sold him to Sunderland in 2023.
Mayenda has represented Spain U17 and made three appearances for them in February 2022 when he was at Sochaux. These were his only appearances for the youth team.
The attacker has affection towards France but doesn’t want to represent them.
When asked if France took it badly that he represented Spain U17s, he said: “I spoke clearly with the director of the Sochaux youth academy.
“I told him that I had a special feeling for France, but that I was born in Spain and that I felt something special that couldn’t be explained in words.”
He’s aiming for a call up from Spain U21 manager Santi Denia for March’s international break.
“People say I’m in good form and I could be called up to the U21s…. I know this is football and all I have to do is work and do well with the team, that’s the only way I can go. I think I have a chance,” Mayenda explained.
