Salomon Rondon has scored 9 goals in the Premier League and has assisted in five more Premier League goals – so he’s been involved in about half of Newcastle’s 31 goals.
That’s the fourth worst goals scored in the Premier League this season beating only the bottom three clubs – second-bottom Fulham have 30 goals and Cardiff have 28.
Rondon missed some chances on Saturday and Newcastle suffered as we went down to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.
That’s a game we expected Newcastle to win and almost reach safety.
But it’s looking more and more like Mike Ashley is unwilling to pay the £16.5M fee it will cost Newcastle for Rondon – if West Brom are not promoted.
If they are promoted it will cost Ashley £20M but Rondon will be 30 in September, and the owner doesn’t like paying big money for players who have little sell-on value.
He doesn’t like paying big money for players who do have sell-on value.
This is what Benitez said about Rondon during his press conference yesterday:
“I am not talking about that because we don’t know what is going on yet,”
“If you are asking me about my future, I am not asking about this or that. The first thing is to be sure that we are safe and, after, we can talk about everything. We have plenty of time.”
“I told you before he has to score goals, that is good for him. As a player, you go there on the pitch and you perform; that is the best thing you can do for the future.”
“He has to do more. If he scores three goals against Leicester, I will be happy.”
“Then you will say: ‘He has been involved in 55% of the goals.’ That is much better. We need anyone [we can] making the difference.
“If he can make the difference, everyone will be happy. After, if he scores three goals against Leicester and after you ask me about his future, fine.”
As we had mentioned yesterday, it looks like Rafa has asked Ashley to sign Rondon permanently in the summer and some of the players he wants could also be in their late 20s.
The manager has talked this season about the lack of maturity in the side and that we don’t do the right things at times during the games.
This is a question of Rafa’s football sense and massive experience up against Mike Ashley’s vision for the club – which is all financially based.
The owner wants Newcastle to make money – and doesn’t seem to care much about the team put out on the field – as long as we are not relegated.
And Ashley is sitting on his hands at the moment because he doesn’t want to buy Rondon for big money – but hasn’t told Rafa yet.
Rafa wants Newcastle to challenge for trophies.
And that difference between Rafa’s vision and Ashley’s alternative vision for the club could be far too vast to reach an agreement.
That’s the big danger for the club at the moment.
Comments welcome.
43 comments so far
toonluvva
Apr 12, 2019 at 3:27 PM
Comment #1If Rafa wants to get on the right side of Ashley he should start targeting retailers to buy and not players.
magpie_in_ohio
Apr 12, 2019 at 3:34 PM
Comment #2I don’t think Ashley has a vision for NUFC. It’s nothing more than a money making enterprise to him.
Moonraker15
Apr 12, 2019 at 3:42 PM
Comment #3I’m fed up with this freakin argument about Rondon’s age and sell on value! You can’t have it both ways; if he was 25 or 26 with a sell on value we probably wouldn’t have him cos he’d be worth £40 million, not 16.5 !
God knows how many top players we have missed because Ashley won’t pay the going rate; Lacazette and Aubameyang come to mind.
If we don’t sign Rondon it will be a backwards step cos he’s a very good centre forward!
Jib
Apr 12, 2019 at 3:48 PM
Comment #4He’s OK
No world beater
Moonraker15
Apr 12, 2019 at 3:53 PM
Comment #5Jib
As I said he’s a good cf. you don’t get a world beater for 16 million! We got one in ‘96! 23 years ago!
RobLeenio
Apr 12, 2019 at 3:56 PM
Comment #6Sounds to me like there may be some kind of goals target in place on which the permanent purchase of Rondon is contingent.
Maybe 15 goals for the season? I may be wrong of course
G
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:14 PM
Comment #7I think Rondon is a decent CF, but I agree he isn’t brilliant. Its a sad sign that not long ago we only settled on excellent players, but now we settle for decent. It just shows how low our expectations have fallen. That actually upsets me.
Bambams
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:14 PM
Comment #8When you think about how we are run by Ash and Charnley its like ‘They are playing at running a football club’
Rafa should of been backed by now and his contract should be with two options along with it being for five years….
– full control, money and plenty of it once we are safe
OR
-full control, money and enough of it to ensure we come back up
For the useless Charnley to be able to stand up to Ash for once in his life and state Rafa must be kept and backed financially or he cant do his job properly. Add to that Charnley cant do his job properly if he is just a constant yes man and a buffer to stop the big transfer targets from even being discussed – fact. Scouts know some excellent (targets) player reports never reach Rafa because Charnley thinks they are not worth the costs, Charnley thinks this ! Not Rafa !
Charnley gets off lightly but from what I was told he is just as bad as Ash, does all the smiles to Rafa and agrees but states its ‘ Ash’s decisions ‘ but he has been caught out loads of times by staff without him ever speaking to the owner.
Rafa is aware of this and has asked for face to face meeting with Ash and this is one of the ‘I am waiting for answers’
They have only spoken face to face once since PizzaGate when Ash popped into one of the away games changing rooms.
The club would be better of being run by 10 drunk persons in a brewery !
hibbit
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:35 PM
Comment #9Bambams
totally agree mate Charnley get a free ride ,surprised someone hasn’t given him a good hiding over the last few years years, ashLIE’s “yes man” nothing more with no power what so ever
DubaiMicky
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:38 PM
Comment #10Can I volunteer to be one of the ten drunk people in the brewery please Bambams?
Jail for Ashley
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:40 PM
Comment #11Face to face talks with Mashers are essential, how can he expect to ask a question then be told he’s got to wait for an answer, it’s a non starter, it’s looking less and less likely. I think Rafa knows this and the brave face and waiting for an answer is a charade.
Bambams
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:42 PM
Comment #12Dubai
You mate will be the first invite !
😉
Bambams
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:43 PM
Comment #13Charnley !!!!!
Trust me he is well over promoted.
One day !
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:54 PM
Comment #14Is Charmless not the mouth piece – little boy who has to do the errands
Is it not the Accountant guy Bishop who pulls all Ashley’s strings
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 12, 2019 at 4:57 PM
Comment #15Bambams
I’d like to volunteer as well!
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Comment #16Sad thing is we could be fourth bottom by the end of the weekend
Brighton and Southampton got home winnable games
Double header tonight- Falcons are player Leicester Tigers tonight to
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:01 PM
Comment #172 hours 58 Minutes to KO
hibbit
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:05 PM
Comment #18Charlie
think you might mean Justin Barnes ??????
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:07 PM
Comment #19Hibby
That’s him
Bambams
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:10 PM
Comment #20EGB
In the taxi with Dubai fella !
🙂
jane
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:36 PM
Comment #21“Sad thing is we could be fourth bottom by the end of the weekend”
if that happens but Burnley beat Cardiff that won’t be so bad.
Mister Tuff
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:39 PM
Comment #22On paper it should be a win for Leicester. Our defences are broadly similar in relation to the goals conceded but they have scored 15 more goals than us.
As somebody previously said the tactics by each side is probably waiting then a sudden counter attack.
Almirons pace has to be used. Plus we could do with a bit of luck.
Jib
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:39 PM
Comment #23Last seasons fixture was our first victory away to Leicester
and Jonjo Shelvey’s first goal for the Toon
Jib
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:41 PM
Comment #24Hello Jane
How’s Jib ?
jane
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:46 PM
Comment #25“How’s Jib ?”
he was being unfairly unkind to a good poster the other day
jane
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:47 PM
Comment #26you asked
posada
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:47 PM
Comment #2716 million or so for Rondon is a lot for a player nearly 30.
However, we would be part exchanging Gayle who is not much younger.
You can’t have it both ways.
Although Ashley is never happy unless he does. Have it both ways that is.
jane
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:48 PM
Comment #28speak of the good poster!
Jib
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:51 PM
Comment #29I think I got back on posada’s good side
Jib
Apr 12, 2019 at 5:57 PM
Comment #304 hours 2 minutes to KO
chicousa
Apr 12, 2019 at 6:09 PM
Comment #31Jib @29
Despite yourself! 😉
Jib
Apr 12, 2019 at 6:10 PM
Comment #32😛
G
Apr 12, 2019 at 6:10 PM
Comment #33Back in old days I used to enjoy the atmosphere at Filbert Street on away days. I think the new stadium lacks that. Its a bit like the Emirates Stadium, where you know thetes a crowd in there but they don’t do a great deal to let you know they’re there.
chicousa
Apr 12, 2019 at 6:12 PM
Comment #34Let me save ilovetoon8788 a posting:
Today’s score: 6-0 Toon lose!
😀
Jib
Apr 12, 2019 at 6:15 PM
Comment #35It’s hard to create an atmosphere with these
Jib
Apr 12, 2019 at 6:20 PM
Comment #3640 minutes to team announcement
Jib
Apr 12, 2019 at 6:50 PM
Comment #3710 minutes
The suspense is unbearable !!!!!!!
GeordieTwo
Apr 12, 2019 at 6:57 PM
Comment #38For me, Rondon hasn’t looked sharp in our last two matches. He has looked sluggish, more like when he first joined us. Is he carrying a knock? Also Perez is so up and down it’s hard to know what to expect from him. Not enough consistency. We need better players who we are unlikely to get. So Rafa will have to continue to tinker and keep us rock solid on defense.
RobLeenio
Apr 12, 2019 at 6:58 PM
Comment #39Cor where’s everyone gone?
Jib
Apr 12, 2019 at 6:59 PM
Comment #40Well tickle my plums Geordie 2 actually
made a footy comment !!!!!
Wonders never cease