Newcastle Utd Need To Keep Star Player Fit If They Want To Survive Relegation Battle

Salomon Rondon might not have scored in Newcastle United’s 3-0 win over fellow relegation battlers Cardiff City yesterday, but the Venezuelan striker still managed to produce a match winning display.

The Toon’s vital Premier League win has seen them leapfrog over their opponents and out of the dreaded drop zone.

Rondon gave a warrior like performance and he gave his teammates a focal point up-top.

His scoring record isn’t the best this season, he’s scored five in fifteen starts this term, but we know he can improve on that as he has done in the past with West Bromwich Albion. A player of his ilk should be aiming to grab at least ten league goals a season and he’s yet to do that in England’s top flight.

But there’s more to his game than just goals. He’s created three assists in the league thus far this season, including a very nice cut back for Ayoze Perez yesterday.

Rondon, on his day can be great with his build up play. Only centre-back Florian Lejeune made more passes than Rondon did against Cardiff, with Solomon making more key passes with three. The powerful hitman had a total of 73 touches of the ball and only Magpies winger Matt Ritchie had more.

The forward even helped out defensively with stats website Whoscored confirming that he made one successful tackle and two clearances during the ninety minutes.

Twenty-nine year old Rondon can be that bully type target man that gives defences a tough time. I’m pretty sure Cardiff City’s backline knew they were in a strong, physical game against him at St James’ Park. He’s also very good in the air, winning four aerial duels this weekend and on average he wins 4.5 per game this season.

Salomon doesn’t just win them in the opposing half either, with Newcastle Utd struggling they will need all hands on the deck defensively in certain games and Salomon Rondon is a great forward when it comes to defending set-pieces.

It should be noted that the international hitman showed great sportsmanship on Saturday when he kicked the ball out in an attacking position after seeing an opponent down with a head injury. That was classy and former England international forward Ian Wright agreed:

Don’t get me wrong, Salomon can still improve his all-round game. The striker needs to be greedier in front of goal, take more attempts and stay in dangerous positions. His passing success rate of just 66.2% can also be vastly improved upon.

After seeing his side lose to Newcastle United, Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock told Sky Sports that the Toon hitman was the game changer:

“I thought Rondon was the difference today,”

 “He led the line really well.”

If Newcastle Utd and Rafa Benitez want to survive and stay in the Premier League then they’ll want to hear more opposing managers praise Rondon after the Venezuelan striker dismantles their team’s defence.

Salomon Rondon really could be Newcastle United’s difference maker!

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