Nunez: My Goal Is to Become a Champion, That's Why I Chose Ipswich Over Norwich

Marcelino Nunez is preparing for a heated reception when he returns to Carrow Road with Ipswich on Saturday, but the Chilean midfielder remains focused on his objective of securing a championship title. Nunez became the first player to move from Norwich to Ipswich since 2001 when he made the £10m switch in August, and he has already made a significant impact, helping his new team beat their rivals for the first time in 16 years with a 3-1 win. 'It was a big task, but we managed to turn it around and end the run, and I was really happy about it,' he says. Nunez's celebrations that day, when he waved a corner flag in front of jubilant Ipswich fans, showed just how much the win meant to him. 'It was natural, it just came to me spontaneously,' he explains. 'In South America, when you win a big derby, you celebrate a lot, and that South American side of me came out a bit.' The 26-year-old feels he is well-equipped to cope with the hostility that awaits him at Carrow Road, having played in intense derbies in South America. 'I know there is going to be a bit more heat on me, because of the fans and because of what happened with my transfer, but it motivates me,' he says. 'I'm motivated to face the game on Saturday.' Nunez's move to Ipswich was driven by his ambition to win titles, and he believes his new team has the resources to achieve promotion to the Premier League. 'It wasn't a very complicated decision because my mentality is to become a champion,' he says. 'With my previous team in Chile, I became a champion five times, and that's my mindset, to win titles.' Ipswich are currently a point behind Millwall in third place, with three games in hand, and Nunez is confident they can take another step closer to the Premier League with a win over Norwich. 'Our mentality, and my mentality, is to take three points and win,' he says. 'We are very united and also focused on our objective, which is to get promoted to the Premier League.' Nunez has certainly played his part this season, bringing creativity, set-piece prowess, and energy to the No 10 role, and his importance can be seen in Ipswich's record with and without him. 'I am just a small piece of the puzzle,' he says. 'I think we are all important in the team, those who play and even those who are injured.' Reaching the Premier League would allow Nunez to realise a childhood dream, and he is determined to stay focused and take it one step at a time. 'What I see in the team is that it's a very solid group,' he says. 'There are very good team-mates, and the coach is one of the best I've had in my career. With the team we have, I think we will reach the Premier League. I want to experience that feeling.'