Crucial few months for Saavedra

Despite Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena, recently stating that the best of Erwin Saavedra is still to come at the club, the Siya crew understands that the remaining few months of the season will be crucial in deciding the player’s future.

Mokwena confirmed that the Bolivian international, who has struggled with injuries since signing for the side in January last season, has a newborn baby boy and it has been a challenge for the player without his family in South Africa.

“It’s just been the physical with regards to injuries and for me it’s been the mental. But having said that, he is a player who shows incredible characteristics, and we are still to see the best of him in Mamelodi Sundowns colours for sure,” Mokwena recently said during a press conference.

Saavedra has made just five appearances for the Tshwane giants and indications are that he is unlikely to break into the starting line-up on a regular basis before the end of the season, which will leave the technical team with a decision to make on his career at the Chloorkop-based outfit.

The hard-running attacker holds a foreign spot in the Downs squad and this is the reason the club has not completely ruled out the possibility of parting ways with the player if an opportunity to bring in someone of similar or better quality to occupy the slot presents itself.

It’s understood that the player himself would not be completely closed off to the idea of returning to South America either.

With injuries and the struggle to completely settle in, it’s believed Downs will consider these factors to decide what happens with the Bolivian, who turns 27 on Wednesday, February 22.

Sundowns officials could not be reached for comment on Saavedra’s future at the time of going to print.