On the latest edition of the All Together Now podcast, The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe has been speaking about Everton’s summer transfer business.
One of the players which Rafael Benitez brought into Goodison Park this summer was Salomon Rondon on a free transfer from Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro.
Are you pleased with the signing of Rondon?
Yes
No
The Venezuelan striker re-joins his former manager having spent time at Newcastle United and Dalian Pro with Benitez, which had seen the 31-year-old find the back of the net 26 times under the Spaniard (via Transfermarkt).
One of the main talking points about Rondon was what he is expected to bring to the club off the pitch as well as on it, with the experienced striker said to be a true professional.
Discussing the effect Rondon may have on some of Everton’s current players, O’Keeffe had the following to say.
“He knows what the manager wants, which we’ve said is very, very important. He’s, by all accounts, an absolutely brilliant professional, and I think he’ll be a good example on the training pitch for players like DCL, and more importantly as well, because I think he’s quite easily led – Richarlison. And I think the more players around Richarlison like that, the better.
“He seems enthralled by players like Neymar etc – understandably – but I think, Rondon’s there, he’s a bit of a journeyman, but he’s coming in and he apparently does everything pristine, about his craft.
“He wants to study opposition goalkeepers all the time. He’s brilliant at using his physicality and I think he’ll bring out the best in Richarlison and DCL and hopefully for us, more of a goal threat in a team that’s already got quite a bit.”
TIF Thoughts on Rondon to Everton…
Rondon proved during his time on Tyneside that he is well aware of where the goal is, with 12 goals in his 33 appearances for the Magpies (via Transfermarkt).
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin still at the Toffees, we do not expect Rondon’s role to be anything more than as an impact substitute if Everton are chasing a result.
However, going by what The Athletic journalist had to say, the Venezuelan could certainly prove more effective off the field than he could on it.
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