BBC Sport pundits Garth Crooks and Martin Keown believe that Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon will be key to the team’s chances this season.
The Venezuelan international scored the winner in the Magpies’ 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town on Saturday, and the BBC duo were united in their opinion of the West Bromwich Albion loanee.
“If they get him goings he’s going to be an asset,” Crooks said on Final Score. “He’s a big, strong fella and he can score goals if you put him in the right positions, and I think that’s the difference between Rondon being at West Brom and being at Newcastle.”
Keown added: “[Rafael] Benitez, you have to say, is getting something from him that other managers couldn’t. And he looks effective playing in this Newcastle team. Strong, rugged and he’s always an outlet.”
Could Rondon be the man who keeps Newcastle away from the bottom of the table? pic.twitter.com/BO8z5hEU9f
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 15, 2018
OPINION
Rondon has certainly been proving his worth to Benitez in recent weeks. He’s getting on the scoresheet and helping Newcastle pick up victories, and it’s great to see. He was tremendous once again on Saturday as he held the ball up well and constantly put the host’s defence under pressure at the John Smith’s Stadium. He scored the winning goal with a fine finish and deserved his strike for the work he got through in the game. This sort of performance was why Benitez brought him in from West Brom in the summer. In tight games against close rivals in the table the Magpies needed someone like Rondon who could make the difference. He proved he could do that on Saturday and the Newcastle fans will be delighted with him. He is perfect for the way the Magpies are playing at the minute and he is proving to be an excellent signing by the former Liverpool boss.
