The defeat against Brentford showed how hapless the Toffees have been this season. Despite having a superior shot tally, Everton struggled in front of the goal. One of the reasons for Everton’s failure to score was down to the unproductivity of Salomon Rondon.
The game ended 1-0 for Brentford but Everton dominated the possession for the entire game at 60%, Rafa Benitez’s men looked toothless going forward. Much of that can be attributed to the dreadful display by Rondon. The Venezuelan forward took 4 shots against the newly promoted side but wasn’t able to convert any of those shots into goal.
Benitez had previously insisted that Rondon is “giving everything” but it’s 10 games now without a goal for the striker who was brought in as a back-up striker for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Rondon has been spearheading the attack for Everton since Calvert-Lewin’s injury but his stats don’t make great reading for the former Dalian Professional striker.
Salomon Rondon has been ineffective since joining Everton
Since joining the Toffees, Rondon has mustered only 1.5 shots per game, nothing spectacular for a striker who has been given 622 minutes out of a possible 900 minutes since joining, picking up two yellow cards during that time period. A total of 0 goals and 0 assists doesn’t help his narrative either, he has averaged only 0.5 key passes per 90 and completes 0.2 dribbles per 90. (stats via WhoScored)
Even though Benitez remains satisfied with the efforts of the 32-year-old who is still waiting for his first goal back in the top-flight since May 2019. It’s high time that younger players like Ellis Simms or Lewis Dobbin get a chance to prove themselves.
The supporters have been desperate to see Simms given his Premier League debut after impressing for both the under-23s and during a loan spell at Blackpool last season. If inexperience is the reason why these young strikers aren’t getting a chance then why not go for someone like Cenk Tosun who has scored goals in the Premier League and at least provides something of a threat in the box, even if he hasn’t played a lot of football recently.
Dobbin could even join a new club in the summer if he agrees to a pre-contract agreement. It is understood that no progress has been made on negotiating a new deal either. The pathway from under-23s football into first team football is non-existent at the moment for Everton and this is one of the major reasons why youngsters like Thierry Small and Dobbin want to leave the Merseyside club.
Everton can’t afford to let players like Dobbin leave. In such a precarious financial position the club needs to be utilizing youth players who can make the difference and even if they can’t, there is nothing to lose now.
Is it time for Everton to start trusting Ellis Simms and Lewis Dobbin over Salomon Rondon?