Everton: 3 things Salomon Rondon offers to Rafa Benitez and Everton

Salomon Rondon and Rafa Benitez share a cordial relationship

Salomon Rondon: The Gladiator

Salomon Rondon arrived in Europe at the age of 18. After spells in Spain and Russia, the Venezuelan arrived at the Premier League. His most notable Premier League spell was at Newcastle United where he met Rafa Benitez for the first time and the Spaniard changed Rondon’s way of seeing and perceiving football.

Rondon is a warrior, a gladiator. Essentially, he embodies the warrior spirit that is synonymous with the fleet of footballers coming from South America. The South American blood running in his veins along with his ventures in Europe has battle hardened him and made him a robust combatant.

"“All of a sudden, Rafa drew some goalposts. He said to me, ‘What position do you play?’ and I replied, ‘Forward’, to which he said, ‘And forwards score goals, don’t they?’ He then went on to ask me about where I would place the ball in the goal and why. He really made me think about how I score goals. That is something that will stay with me forever” (via Sky Sports)"

This short episode summarizes the kind of influence Rafa had on Rondon. Furthermore, while speaking for the first time to Everton, the 31 year old striker pressed on how Benitez has been important in shaping his career.

"“The manager [Benitez] taught me it is the finishing and movement that is important. Sometimes, I saw my job as just to score goals. I am a striker and want to score goals and give assists. But the most important thing is movement to help the team, to create space for another player, or for me, if a defender is near. Rafa changed the vision I have of football because the team is the most important thing for a club and the players.” (via club’s official website)"

Rondon is excellent when it comes to movement on and off the ball. He is a proper team oriented player and times his runs in a way to gain maximum space to evade the opponent and receive the ball.

The Venezuelan doesn’t possess breathtaking acceleration so beating his opponent on pace alone seldom yields favourable results. His strong build and physically imposing structure allow him to dominate duels and even aerial battles. His understanding and scanning of the game is a big strength. The 31 year old drags defenders out of position creating space for other teammates and in turn disrupting the opposition lines.

Rondon is a blend of physical strength, consistency, strong vision and decent technical skills. On top of that he’s an extremely hard worker off the ball.  History says that Rafa Benitez loves such players and Rondon is exactly what the former Real Madrid manager had been demanding. He’s a gladiator with the capability to tear the opposition apart, churn them out, and spit their bones.