Nunez: My Goal Is to Become a Champion with Ipswich

Marcelino Nunez is preparing for a heated reception at Carrow Road on Saturday, but the Ipswich player remains unfazed. Nunez became the first player to move from Norwich to Ipswich since Andy Marshall in 2001, and he has already made an impact by helping his new team beat their rivals for the first time in 16 years. Nunez scored the goal that settled the previous East Anglian derby in Norwich's favour, but he has since switched sides and is now focused on achieving his goal of becoming a champion with Ipswich. "I was very clear about my objective, which was to fight for the championship, and that's why I decided to join Ipswich," he explains. "The fans have welcomed me incredibly well, despite my past with a rival team, and overall I'm very happy with the team and the manager. We are united and focused on our goal of getting promoted to the Premier League." Nunez's move to Ipswich was met with anger from Norwich fans, but he insists he bears no ill-will towards his former team. "It was a positive step in my career because they gave me the opportunity to play in Europe," he says. However, he felt that Ipswich, under Kieran McKenna, offered a better chance of achieving his ambitions. "My mentality is to become a champion, and I think Ipswich has the resources to establish itself as a strong team and fight for promotion," he says. "I've played under pressure before, and I think that experience will help me cope with the hostility I'll face at Carrow Road." Nunez has been instrumental in Ipswich's success this season, with a win rate of 70 per cent in the 20 games he has started. He has also provided eight assists and scored three goals, including two free-kicks in a 4-1 win over QPR in November. "I am just a small piece of the puzzle, but I think we are all important in the team," he says. "I try to stay positive and help my teammates, whether I'm playing or not." With seven remaining Championship games, including the upcoming match against Norwich, Nunez is relaxed about Ipswich's promotion prospects. Reaching the Premier League would be a dream come true for the 26-year-old. "I always dreamt about playing in the Premier League, but I never thought it would happen so quickly," he says. "It's something incredible, and it's close, so we just have to focus on each match and take it step by step. I think we will reach the Premier League, and I want to experience that feeling." For now, though, Nunez must face the heat of Carrow Road and help his team take another step closer to their goal.