Everton

Everton: Greg O’Keeffe claims Rafa Benitez ‘thinks very highly’ of Salomon Rondon

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Image for Everton: Greg O’Keeffe claims Rafa Benitez ‘thinks very highly’ of Salomon Rondon

The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe has explained in detail why Everton made the deadline day signing of Salomon Rondon. 

With August coming to an end, and so with it the transfer market too, the Toffees brought in the 31-year-old on a free transfer from Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro.

Having failed to resolve a financial issue with his former employers, Rondon allowed Everton to steal him back to England on a two-year contract with the option of a third.

Although the club already have Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a quality option for the centre-forward role within the side, O’Keeffe has detailed why Rafa Benitez wanted to add the Venezuelan to his attack. 

Speaking on the All Together Now Everton Podcast, he said: “We’ve needed experienced striking cover for a long time. And the more I’ve looked at him – I did a piece on him, spoke to people about him, and looked at his goalscoring record,  I think it’s been pretty consistent right throughout his career.

“He’s scored goals wherever he’s gone. And I know Benitez absolutely thinks very highly of him. I think, all in all, a good signing to come in and complement the strikers we’ve already got. And hopefully help them, develop them a bit as well.”

TIF Thoughts on Salomon Rondon and Everton…

This will be the third time the 31-year-old has played under Benítez. At Newcastle United, he scored 11 goals in 32 top-flight games while on loan from West Bromwich Albion. After that, he then linked up with the Spaniard in China in 2019.

Will Salomon Rondon be a success at Everton?

Yes

Yes

No

No

With this in mind, it makes a lot of sense for Everton to reunite player and manager, with Rondon likely able to provide good cover for Calvert-Lewin throughout the duration of the season, judging by O’Keeffe’s evaluation alone.

However, with three league goals in as many matches to his name already this season, the form of the Englishman should also allow Rondon the time he needs to acclimate back into England’s top division.

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