Rondon has said in an interview today that Rafa Benitez first talked to him on the phone in June about moving to Newcastle, but it took over two months to get a deal agreed with West Brom to bring him here.
Rafa wanted to get him signed early in the summer, but Newcastle are so slow and pedantic with their transfer business that we finally got him to the club on loan just three days before the window closed.
Rafa wanted him signed permanently in June.
If he had been signed early, he would have been part of the Ireland training camp and would have played in our four friendly games – and been ready to go in the first game last weekend.
But no – Lee Charnley and company dragged it out for over two months and only managed a loan deal – but we paid a £2M loan fee and had Dwight Gayle go in the other direction.
We don’t know if Rafa will participate in another summer transfer window at Newcastle with his contract running out next June 30th.
Salomon Rondon – in action against Spurs
The Venezuelan striker was interviewed as reported in the Chronicle today:
“I first heard of the interest two months ago but negotiations were difficult. I was just waiting. When I gave the answer that I wanted to come here, I was expecting it to happen but it was difficult.”
“I remember the first call from Rafa I couldn’t believe it.” ‘Hello, this is who?!”. He told me they were interested in me and would I like to come.”
“Of course! It was a pleasure. I obviously know a lot about Rafa in the football world. It is a pleasure to work with him, to see his tactics, his ideas.”
“Yes, moving here permanently is my personal target. And the only way to do that, of course, is to score goals, train really, really hard to hold on to my place.”
“I feel lucky of course. The situation when West Brom went down was difficult and I am just really grateful to be back in the Premier League again.”
“Newcastle United all feels very big. Newcastle in the Premier League is famous.”
“I know all about the amazing South American players who have been here – Solano, Jonas Gutierrez, how really well they did here.”
“In my career, I have played in different leagues with different players and I know this is the biggest move of my career.”
“That is why I want to stay here permanently.”
“I know my stats and maybe they have not been really, really high but everyone knows that I was playing at West Brom.”
“In my first season there I scored 10 goals. Maybe that didn’t make everybody really happy, but it was also difficult.”
“If you are a striker, you want to score 15, 20 goals and it wasn’t like that, but I was happy anyway.”
“I like the pressure. But yes, I know all about the No 9. When I signed the contract here there was a big picture of all the top scorers – Alan Shearer at the top with 206.”
“So the pressure is big – it’s amazing to score 206 goals. But I want to make the fans proud by wearing this shirt like Alan Shearer did.”
“The goals he scored for the club and the hat-trick against Barcelona. That was big because in Venezuela, in fact, the whole of South America, everyone loves football.”
We learned today that West Brom have taken up their contract option of an extra year for Rondon so he will not be a free agent next summer.
That was something they had to do to protect themselves.
But we could have had Rondon for his relegation release clause of £16.5M, but Mike Ashley was unwilling to pay the money.
That was strange and surprising.
No – it wasn’t.
Rondon seems a typical Rafa player – ambitious, good technically and a very hard worker in training and in games.
We will see him soon where he works his socks off for the team.
It looks like he will become a popular player on Tyneside – very popular if he starts scoring those goals for us.
Here’s hoping.
Comments welcome.
105 comments so far
Moonraker15
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:35 PM
Comment #41What could Ashley and his “team” add to House of Fraser to make us want to go shopping in their stores? I’m racking my brains but I can’t think of anything! Jib please help me out! Haha
Jib
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:42 PM
Comment #42Moonraker
You are not in Mike’s sights
I don’t think spotty young herberts who still live at home with their Ma
are his target market.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:42 PM
Comment #43Again out of curiosity I googled Momentum as I wasn’t really aware about them and their aims. This quote is taken from their own website.
“About us
Momentum is a people-powered, vibrant movement. We aim to transform the Labour Party, our communities and Britain in the interests of the many, not the few.
Our proposition is simple: if more of us come together, we can use our skills and energy to tackle every challenge head on. Using our collective power, our campaigning, networks and tech, we can transform society for the better.
From our view of the Labour Party, to how we change Britain for the better, we’re up front about where we stand.”
I hasten to add I am neither a Labour supporter ( or Tory for that matter) but they don’t seem like a particularly evil sort of people so whats the fuss.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:45 PM
Comment #44I didn’t put it in my predictions but, 2-0 to us Joselu and Perez.
hibbit
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:45 PM
Comment #45DaveD1000
was gentle wind up,
had to wait till the wife got back to find out who he was then it eventually clicked LOL
https://www.google.co.uk/search?ei=JyR3W4_uLorjsAfdq56YBw&q=craig+david+tuesday&oq=craig+david+tues&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0l2j0i22i30k1l8.8202.13049.0.18090.5.5.0.0.0.0.240.725.0j4j1.5.0….0…1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.5.718…0i67k1j0i22i10i30k1.0.6sfoSOummhw
Moonraker15
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:47 PM
Comment #46Jib
Oo it’s “Mike” now is it ! Haha you are pathetic Jib; like your owner!
Good night it’s past my bedtime !
xx
Mag52
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:49 PM
Comment #47Bill.
If you were looking to find anything evil about an organisation, you’re not likely to find it on their own website.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:51 PM
Comment #48Mag52
That’s true!! 🙂
Jib
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:52 PM
Comment #49Bill
Do you remember Derek Hatton and Militant ?
A lot of Corbyn’s supporters in Momentum are
ex Militant
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:57 PM
Comment #50Mag52
There is an article in the Grauniad about them but I thought I’d better not copy and paste it as it’s quite long.
Here’s the link for it http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/mar/18/revealed-how-increasingly-powerful-momentum-is-transforming-labour
Still don’t look particularly evil to me.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2018 at 8:59 PM
Comment #51Jib
Ah, Mr Hatton, a very odious person as i remember him.
IITianToon
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:11 PM
Comment #52Out of some Friday afternoon boredom, I ended up googling the Brexit referendum results, and to my surprise found that the Newcastle region overall voted in favor of leaving. I’m not from the UK, but have supported Newcastle since I began idolizing Alan Shearer at the age of 7. Just wanted to get a sense of why the majority of the people wanted to leave. I know us Geordies are the most passionate and welcoming bunch of people (towards everyone except those wearing red-and-white, of course). So I would be quite disappointed and saddened if fear of immigrants was a reason. (I still keep looking for job openings at Newcastle University haha)
HWTL! And a 2-1 win akin to the Loic Remy inspired win from last time out!
lochinvar
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:14 PM
Comment #53Well done Charners old chap, thought it had been going so well. Back to the drawing board. He’s only got 3years left on his contract.
Newcastle United outcast Achraf Lazaar’s set to return to the club – after a proposed move broke down at the 11th hour. The defender has been in Italy hoping to secure a season-long loan move to Genoa. However, the two clubs couldn’t agree the terms of the deal before the Italian transfer window closed tonight. Lazaar – who has only made a handful of appearances for Newcastle since joining from Palermo two years ago – was frozen out by Rafa Benitez a year ago and sent on loan to Benevento. Speaking before the move broke down, United manager Benitez said: “Lazaar’s in Genoa at the moment, trying to do a deal. I don’t have the details of the deals, but they are talking.” Lazaar – who had been training at Newcastle’s Academy – has three years left on his Newcastle contract.
Jib
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:17 PM
Comment #54IITianToon
In recent polls
The North of England has completely turned around
If there were a referendum next week most would
vote remain
Moonraker15
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:18 PM
Comment #55Essex
I’m hoping both your predictive scorers don play tomorrow; I’d prefer Muto and Rondon.
lochinvar
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:18 PM
Comment #5611ToonTian
Probably had very little to do with the immigration topic much vaunted by the tabloids.
More to do with politicians and Civil Servants in London pissing money away on London centric projects and EU bureaucrats in Brussels feathering their nests at everyone’s expense.
Moonraker15
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:22 PM
Comment #57Jib
That’s a ridiculous generalisation re Brexit. Most remainers are now reconciled to leaving. Once again you’re spouting bollocks.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:24 PM
Comment #58Moonraker15
To be honest I don’t care who scores as long as we win, in fact I’d be over the moon if Dubkravka got a hat trick for us, 3 long punts downfield and straight over their GKs head. 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:26 PM
Comment #59TV time with the missus, later!
Jib
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:26 PM
Comment #60http://theconversation.com/brexit-yes-constituencies-have-moved-to-remain-and-heres-why-that-could-matter-101761
lochinvar
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:30 PM
Comment #61https://www.sportsredirect.com
Hadn’t heard about this, somebody’s been creative
Jib
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:30 PM
Comment #62Moonraker15
Actually the a ridiculous generalisation re Brexit comes from you.
” Most remainers are now reconciled to leaving.”
Moonraker15
Aug 17, 2018 at 9:49 PM
Comment #63Jib
We’re leaving the EU whatever professor Curtice says. I could post an excellent article by Jacob Rees Mogg if you wanna good read with a realistic conclusion.
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 17, 2018 at 10:16 PM
Comment #64I think Rondon, Perez, Kenedy, Muto and Ritchie will all be among the goals this term. We do create chances, and with the additions should create even more, and if can score a few more goals and run around a bit more too, we can pick up an extra 10 points on last seasons tally. We have improved our attack, which was sorely needed, squeeze out a bit more running, which won’t be easy from an all ready hard running unit, but can be done, then under good old Rafa, we can expect to turn a few or more losses into draws, and draws into wins. Definitely think we picked up some handy players, and key for us, in the right positions.
lesh
Aug 17, 2018 at 10:35 PM
Comment #65There’s not been a lot of good news where’s Ashley’s involved – why is it that his name seems to be synonymous with controversy?
No responses expected although I’m sure his cheerleaders’ll be justifying his existence.
ronaldo aarons
Aug 17, 2018 at 10:38 PM
Comment #66https://mobile.twitter.com/TheMagpieGroup_/status/1030539250373156867
New open letter from the magpie group to Ashley.
toon22
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:01 PM
Comment #67Jib
There it is,i stopped caring what you think or say
Enjoy
jane
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:03 PM
Comment #68big writing
https://themagpiegroup.co.uk/news/response-to-mike-ashley
toon22
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:08 PM
Comment #69The only way MA will eave the toon is if its worthless or is forced out
We can help wit the forced out in numerous ways
Other than that its HRMC or parliment
toon22
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:12 PM
Comment #70He relies on his shops for his wealth,its the reason hes is currently a leech on the toon
Its his shops where he can be gotten too,where we can be too much trouble for him
You can see by his other buisneses how much he likes not getting his own way,or have his judgement called into question
Fire away lads
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:18 PM
Comment #71Newcastle, as we are with Ashley running the finances and Rafa the football, are a solid upper mid-EPL football club, with a good hard running side for its massive support to get behind. Good enough for Ashley, not good enough for us and Rafa, who want a trophy, but not miles apart either and there is still time for Ashley and Rafa to work this out.
The fan agitation can add strength to Rafa’s hand. We’d all take a new owner, but a negotiated agreement between the pair remains our best most realistic hope as shifting Ashley, while certainly very possible with a united and committed fan base, will of course not be easy though. There are those who want Ashley out at any cost, at this stage I’m not one of them.
Ashley needs to step up or ship out this term, and if he does neither then that’s when the fans need to band together as one and take him on with all its collective might and put an end to his ownership.
jane
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:19 PM
Comment #72There’s not been a lot of good news where’s Corbyn’s involved – why is it that his name seems to be synonymous with controversy?
No responses expected although I’m sure his cheerleaders’ll be justifying his existence.
jane
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:26 PM
Comment #73“There are those who want Ashley out at any cost, at this stage I’m not one of them.”
if Newcastle progress year on year under Rafa i wouldn’t care if Ashley is still the owner.
toon22
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:38 PM
Comment #74Myself i believe the toon wont achieve a thing while MA is around
He will employ the same lies hes used over the last decade
Id take religation if he was to sell up,it would be worth it.
What MA wants is for the fans to just quietly accept the situation with the hit of change to come,all his usual lies.
Like we will spend next year or he will sell the club and wants to make the books look good.Every single lie is used to make sure the fans dont turn on him.He really dont like it.
He wants nice placid fans show up and abjectly accept whatever he says and let him go on bleeding our club dry for as long as he can
I wont accept it however its dressed up in whatever lie he offers
toon22
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:41 PM
Comment #75And no amount of people who come here to defend him,or those who try and derail any talk of how he will be ok for another year,just one more
Or try and push the talk away from the fat greedy get to anything other,politics seems like a recent ploy,will alter the fact he needs to be removed from ownership of our club before we cease to be a sporting enterprise
toon22
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:46 PM
Comment #76Has MA ever left a buisnes in good order?
As for me all he does is buy struggling brands for cheap and then use his extensive knowlege on squeezing said brand for profit without regard for the brand,staff or future
He wont be around or care what happens after him,we will
lesh
Aug 18, 2018 at 12:54 AM
Comment #77Nicky
Apart from your opening paragraph, your post @72 came to a reasonable conclusion.
I struggled with that first paragraph (Newcastle, as we are with Ashley running the finances and Rafa the football, are a solid upper mid-EPL football club, with a good hard running side for its massive support etc). With Ashley running the finances the way he has, Rafa’s off and our EPL status becomes doubtful.
It’s as though you started cheerleading for Ashley then thought better of it. That wasn’t the case I’m sure.
Nicky the ball tosser
Aug 18, 2018 at 1:12 AM
Comment #78“Cheerleading for Ashley.” Give your head the shake it sorely needs lesh. The post, as all do, exists as a whole, not in parts for you to cherry pick from in your notoriously blinkered and transparently one-eyed, partisan manner. Nobody worth a grain of salt is buying it.
one fine day
Aug 18, 2018 at 1:36 AM
Comment #79apologies in advance if others have already p[posted this as just catching up
https://www.sportsredirect.com/
brilliant 🙂
chicousa
Aug 18, 2018 at 2:09 AM
Comment #80That IS brilliant! To buy an Ashley Out Tee shirt via a link to “True Faith” on Ashley’s own Sports Direct portal! Great work!