Shola Ameobi has heaped praise on Newcastle United duo Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez, suggesting that the pair a forging a good bond for the Magpies.
Perez provided a deft assist for Rondon’s opener for the Toon Army on Saturday against Everton, and the big Venezuelan returned the favour later on the lay on the assist for the Spaniard’s winner.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, as quoted by the Chronicle, Ameobi was eager to highlight the relationship between the two.
He said: “Obviously, Rondon coming in this season has been a huge plus for us. He does so much for the team and the way Rafa likes to set up.
“He is the striker who can hold it up. What I love is that Perez is actually starting to realise this. I think this is corresponding to the five wins we have had at home, the link-up play is because they are playing closer together.
“They are really striking a bond and a good partnership.”
OPINION
Newcastle United probably haven’t had a strike partnership as effective as Rondon and Perez since the days of Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse. The Senegalese pair were lethal for the Magpies in the Premier League, and on the basis of Saturday’s showing, Rondon and Perez could be just as impressive. The understanding with which they play is genuinely exciting, and appears to be getting stronger by the game. Perez’s assist for Rondon on Saturday was as precise and deft as they come, but it was made all the more remarkable by the way that he tracked the big man’s movement without a second thought and anticipated exactly where he would want the pass playing in to. With Miguel Almiron causing havoc in behind, and with the the whole front line playing with a fluidity and freedom of expression that has been sorely lacking for the Magpies, this is the most promising a Toon side has looked on the front foot in many years.