Let’s go again, Rafa!
BOSS LINKS UP WITH STRIKER FOR THIRD TIME
SALOMON RONDON has spoken of his gratitude to Rafael Benitez after being given the chance to link up with the Everton boss for the third time in his career.
Having previously worked under the Spaniard at Newcastle United and Dalian Professional, striker Rondon made it a hat-trick when he secured a deadline-day switch to Merseyside earlier this month.
Speaking about the lastminute nature of the move, he said: “To be honest the deadline was horrible because everything was fixed in the five hours before the deadline. It was really stressful so I was really happy when everything was done, so were my family and kids.
“It was August 28 at 8.30am and Rafa told me there was a little chance I could come here. He said, ‘Just keep training and don’t eat a lot’.
Fast
“Then on the 29th he called me again. On the 30th I was still training alone. And then on the 31st he calls me and says be ready. Everything moved really fast.”
Rondon went on to explain why the opportunity to work with Benitez again at Goodison
Park was just too good to pass up. “Everyone in the world of football knows him,” he added. “I met him four years ago and he gave me confidence.
“The most important thing is when you have a coach behind you telling you everything you have to do for you or the team.
“When I worked with him, I said many times before, my view of football changed completely because he showed me things I didn’t see in the last 10 years when I was playing football. I’m really proud that a manager like Rafa Benitez is telling me everything. I’m really grateful to him for giving me this chance to help the team.”
Emotional
Rondon is already wellregarded by Everton fans as a result of his emotional reaction to inadvertently breaking former Toffees midfielder James Mccarthy’s leg in a challenge in 2018.
The Venezuelan broke down in tears on the pitch and again later in an interview recounting the
moment, of which he said: “That incident was important in my life. It is a horrible moment when you are involved in that kind of play in a game. I was really happy when I saw him playing again.
“I never want to see any player suffer like that. I started crying because it was the worst moment in my career.
“Of course, it was an accident but I remember for two or three days after that it was very difficult for me just to train properly.
“I started to appreciate that this career as a footballer is really fantastic, but sometimes it can be dangerous.
“Many people around the club remember that game and have thanked me for my reaction.”