OPINION
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez was handed a timely boost when under-fire striker Salomon Rondon popped up with a brilliant brace to down Bournemouth before the international break.
The 29-year-old forward was coming under increasing pressure due to niggling injury problems which had limited his impact since a season-long loan from West Bromwich Albion in the summer.
Questions were beginning to be asked about Benitez’s decision to let Dwight Gayle leave in place of Rondon, who was in danger of becoming another Islam Slimani due to his injury issues.
Those issues, hopefully, look to be behind the Venezuela international now, with his double against the Cherries giving Newcastle their second win in a row in the Premier League.
However, this is early days in Rondon’s resurgence, and there remain questions over his ability to bang in the 10 to 15 goals Newcastle need to guarantee their survival this season.
Rondon was not exactly prolific for former club West Brom, netting just 28 goals in 120 appearances for the Baggies, and that kind of record will not cut it for the Magpies this term.
His double against Bournemouth was proof however that he has it in him to be a serious goal threat, and some small tweaks to his game will get him there.
Former Magpies striker Mick Quinn has now weighed in on this, and given Benitez some advice on what he needs to do.
In a Q&A for the Chronicle, he said [13:31]: “I also think [his work-rate] is one of the reasons he doesn’t score the volume of goals he should. He’s not in the box often enough; sometimes when he is out chasing the ball, he should be in the penalty area getting ready to get on the end of crosses.
“You only need to look at that header he scored to see the way to get the best out of the Venezuelan: whip inviting crosses into the box, and he will get on to the end of them.”
This is super simple advice from Quinn, but it is something which Benitez must now take into consideration when dealing with his striker in the coming months.
Rondon is a hard worker, but sometimes that is to his detriment in terms of goals, and if he remains high up the pitch and alive in the box those goals will come more easily.
Benitez must relay this advice to Rondon and hope that he takes it on board and transforms into the goal machine that Newcastle need him to be.
