MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 14:49:59| >> :120:9212:9212:

Salomon Rondon delighted to be back playing under Rafael Benitez at Everton

Salomon Rondon delighted to be back playing under Rafael Benitez at Everton
© Reuters
The Venezuela international completed a deadline-day return to the Premier League from China.

New Everton signing Salomon Rondon credits manager Rafael Benitez with 'changing his mentality' during his two previous spells under the Spaniard.

The Venezuela international completed a deadline-day return to the Premier League from China to be reunited with the man who previously signed him for Newcastle and Dalian Professional.

Rondon scored 11 league goals in his one season under Benitez at St James' Park – only Romelu Lukaku (three times), Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (both twice) and Gylfi Sigurdsson have scored more in a single campaign in the last decade at Goodison Park.

The 31-year-old credits Benitez with improving his all-round game.

"I enjoy playing for Rafa a lot because he is the manager who changed my mentality and how I see the game, what he needs from me to help the team and my team-mates," he told evertontv.

"We were in Newcastle together and he explained very clearly the main points for a striker. In China, it was the same.

"Now it is the same, again, because I saw the three (Premier League) games Everton played this season and I identify myself with the idea of how Rafa plays.

"Rafa changed the vision I have of football because the team is the most important thing for a club and the players.

"His management of the team is special because, in some games, you have to do extra work, or work really hard to get the points. He showed to the players, you can go to the limits.

"For me, it is an honour, as well, that a manager like Rafa Benitez has confidence in me.

"The dream is coming true, I wanted to go back to the Premier League – and it is with Everton, a big club with a special history in football."

Rondon is set to be available earlier than anticipated for Everton after opting not to join up with Venezuela for their World Cup qualifiers against Argentina, Peru and Paraguay.

All three countries are on the UK Government's red list which would have required the striker to quarantine for 10 days on his return and ruled him out of Everton's restart to the Premier League at home to Burnley on September 13.

ID:462103:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3339:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Rafael Benitez

Click here for more stories about Everton

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Venezuela's Salomon Rondon reacts against Brazil on November 14, 2020
Read Next:
Salomon Rondon joins Everton on free transfer
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!