Newcastle United supporters in the Transfer Tavern are very much looking forward to the remainder of the summer transfer window, what with it looking likely that Rafa Benitez will stay as the club’s manager.
The Spaniard did a remarkable job in leading the North East heavyweights to a tenth place finish upon their return to the Premier League, this all after winning the Championship title just 12 months previous. But having done so on a limited budget, and no promises that the funds will be there this summer, there were some concerns among our resident Magpies fans that Benitez could leave the club during the close season, with West Ham one possible destination.
However, there was immense relief among those Newcastle fans in the Tavern when Manuel Pellegrini was appointed as Hammers chief, with many now turning their attentions towards the transfer window and thus likely to be interested by reports linking the Magpies with Salomon Rondon.
And were Benitez’s side to seal a deal for the £11.7 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt), it would serve to finally get the best out of current Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle.
Ultimately, the 2017/18 campaign was somewhat of a struggle for the Englishman with just six goals to show for his endeavours, this all after bagging 23 times in just 32 Championship matches the season before to help Newcastle win promotion.
And while it would be easy to say that the 28-year-old is just not good enough for the Premier League, and perhaps too good for the Championship, there have been signs that the former Crystal Palace forward has adapted better to top-flight football, but leading the line on his own is invariably going to see him struggle.
But with a keen eye for goal and effectiveness from inside the penalty area, it seems pretty clear that Gayle needs an aerial presence and big targetman to play off to get the best out of his game – Rondon could well be that man.
Like Gayle, the 28-year-old didn’t enjoy his best season in front of goal for relegated West Brom, but his tally of seven goals in 36 Premier League appearances would have put him second on Newcastle’s top goal-scorer list for the campaign, behind Ayoze Perez with ten.
But with eight goals in the 2016/17 season, and nine goals the campaign before, it’s clear that the Venezuela international knows exactly where the goal is at top-flight level, yet it’s just as important to Newcastle the attributes he would bring to their side.
Unlike Joselu, Rondon possesses the all round ability to lead from the front and hold the ball up alongside adeptness in front of goal, and having someone big and strong up top, and thus to link up with and run off, can only serve to get the best out of Gayle, who remains the best finisher at St James’ Park.
Ultimately, the 28-year-old looked a threat for the majority of the second half of the season to suggest that he can cut it at Premier League level, but Newcastle simply have to play to his strengths to bring his lethal finishing into play.
And there is little doubting that the presence of Rondon would help enable the Magpies forward to deliver the goods for Benitez next season.
Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!
