Malcolm Macdonald has been impressed by what he has seen of Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon this season and thinks that the club would have gone down without him.
He says he is not a fan of Aleksandar Mitrovic, a player who the Magpies sold to Fulham last summer – but he has been blown away by Rondon, a forward he claims is “unselfish” and has “terrific attitude”.
Macdonald admits that there are better attackers out there than the United star at the moment, but seeing as they are probably worth £60million or £70million, Mike Ashley is not going to fork out.
“This week Fulham were officially relegated without a whimper and Mitro has suddenly found goals hard to come by. At the same time United are just about safe – thanks in no small measure to Rondon’s goals, his assists, and his general unselfish line-leading,” he said in his Chronicle column.
“I think everyone knows what I think of Mitrovic. I don’t rate him, haven’t since he arrived in Newcastle. Rondon on the other hand has a terrific attitude, works tirelessly, and benefits all around him. Don’t get me wrong – there are better than Rondon out there but at £60m or £70m. Can you see Mike Ashley paying that?
“I’m not saying Rondon is about to join the list of United’s No 9 legends but he has done the job required of him. Indeed had United kept Mitrovic and not got Rondon I firmly believe that the Mags would have gone down.”
OPINION
Many Newcastle fans were no doubt lamenting the fact that the club had chosen to cash in on Mitrovic in the summer. He really hit the ground running with Fulham, scoring ten goals, but since then his tally has dried up a bit. When Rondon joined, again some of the fans were obviously frustrated that the club had not gone in for a more prolific striker considering that they only had the likes of Joselu to call upon. That being said, Rondon has definitely turned things around, and without him, Newcastle would not be in the position that they are in now – just one win away from complete safety. It is not Rondon’s goal tally that is particuarly special about him though – he has scored ten this season – it is his ability to bring other players into the game and hold the ball up for the team. Macdonald has got it spot on here – if they had kept Mitrovic, relegation would certainly be looming.
