OPINION
Former Newcastle United player Mick Quinn has delivered his verdict on loanee striker Salomon Rondon, labelling his second goal against Bournemouth as “an absolute peach”.
Quinn thinks that Rondon can score around ten to fifteen goals this season, but only if his teammates provide excellent service – and said that he is the player who can assure the Magpies of their Premier League safety.
“He certainly delivered last time out. What a performance that was. It was the complete centre-forward’s display – and that second goal was an absolute peach,” he said in the Chronicle’s Q&A [20/11].
“The thing I like about Rondon is his work ethic. But I also think that’s one of the reasons he doesn’t score the volume of goals he should. He’s not in the box often enough.
“For Newcastle I can see him getting between 10 and 15 goals this season if United keep him fit, and if his team-mates provide him with good service. And, if they do, Newcastle will score enough to survive. Of that I am convinced.”
Quinn has hit the nail on the head here – Rondon certainly proved against Bournemouth why Rafa Benitez was right to bring him to St James’ Park in the summer. He had an absolute blinder against the Cherries before the international break, and it was essentially down to him that Newcastle won the game in the way that they did.
Fans will have their fingers crossed that he can now maintain that goalscoring streak, as the last thing they need is for him to suddenly run out of steam.
However, that does not look like happening any time soon if his last performance is anything to go by – he looked a lot fitter and stronger compared to how he was at the start of the season. He is finally getting into his rhythm, and if his teammates provide the service to him like Quinn has pointed out, then he will surely be firing on a regular basis for United.
Premier League safety is all but assured if Quinn’s comments are anything to go by – but first, Benitez must heed his words and get Rondon’s teammates to provide the service he so desperately needs.
