OPINION
Even the most optimistic Newcastle United fan wouldn’t have thought that Salomon Rondon could have had such a massive effect on the Magpies when he signed on loan from West Brom in the summer.
The Venezuelan had been a decent option for the Baggies during his time in the top flight, but he had never looked like a world beater, and there will have been a fair few Toon fans who will have wondered if he genuinely represented a better alternative than Dwight Gayle who went in the other direction as part of that deal.
Those doubts have been quelled entirely, however, as the 29-year-old has put in a series of performances that have helped to revitalise a side that looked nailed on for a relegation battle.
The latest of his impressive displays came against Bournemouth on Saturday, when the big striker broke the deadlock late in the first half with a sublime free kick as his side eventually battled to a 2-2 draw.
It wasn’t just the South American’s goalscoring exploits that caught the eye, however, and he came in for praise from Match of the Day pundit Dion Dublin for his all round hold up play, as well as his unselfishness.
Speaking on the programme, as quoted in the Chronicle (11.31), he said: “I find him a really unselfish centre-forward. The reason why the players around him like playing with because he is very reliable. He holds onto the ball.
“He always seems to find his way into the box. He always seems to occupy two defenders at the same time. He’s always got players around him. Therefore, his teammates have got more space. All that space down the wings, if he occupies two players, it’s danger.”
Dublin’s comments illustrate the real brilliance of Rondon.
He is not just a goalscorer, nor is he just a lump for the ball to be hoofed up to when the going gets tough. He is a thoroughly modern footballer, a real physical specimen capable of using his feet and bringing other around him into the game.
Quite simply, Rondon has been sublime this season.