BBC pundit Garth Crooks was in awe of Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon for his performance in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Magpies registered their second successive win in the Premier League over the Cherries after Rondon bagged a brace, his first ever goals for the club – with Jefferson Lerma providing a consolation for the visitors at St James’ Park.
Crooks explained that he thought the £60,000-a-week [Spotrac] ace was a “little goal-shy” when he was playing for West Brom, but said that is now all a thing of the past following his excellent outing at the weekend.
“I saw a lot of Salomon Rondon at West Brom and I came to the conclusion that here was a willing runner who was a little goal shy. Well, against Bournemouth the Newcastle striker put that notion to bed with two well-taken goals,” he told BBC Sport.
“His second was especially impressive, although he should have had a hat-trick. I also noticed that the Venezuela international is sporting a new figure. A much leaner and meaner Rondon.
“Rafael Benitez appears to have got hold of the striker and put him through a serious fitness programme. It looks like it’s working.”
OPINION
Crooks is not the first pundit to drool over Rondon after his performance on Saturday – and he certainly will not be the last if he continues this type of form. Many fans were no doubt starting to question why Benitez brought him to the club in the first place – well, he certainly has proved that now. You will not get a better-worked goal than his soaring header that put United 2-0 up, the cross provided by Kenedy was absolutely sublime. If he can keep scoring on a regular basis, then he will be the key player in securing Newcastle’s survival in the Premier League this season – they were lacking up front before, but they definitely will not be now. Fingers crossed that the international break does not stall the progress that he has been making, as he has the potential to the club’s top scorer this season.
