Salomon Rondon can help a section Newcastle fans get over Aleksandar Mitrovic’s departure from the club once and for all by outperforming him on Saturday.
The Magpies host struggling Fulham this weekend, and leading the line for the Cottagers will be Serbian international Mitrovic, who departed St. James’ Park in the summer.
The striker spent three years with Newcastle, before leaving for £22 million, which could eventually rise to £27 million with performance-based incentives according to Sky Sports.
Mitrovic joined Fulham initially on loan in January 2018, before making the move permanent in July.
A number of Newcastle supporters were unhappy with the decision to sell the burly hitman, especially after he’d banged 12 goals in 17 Championship games, and then five goals in his first six Premier League games in 2018/19.
Newcastle are largely managing OK without him now, but a big performance from Rondon will go a long way on Saturday.
Rondon can continue to ease concerns
The Venezuela international is slowly proving to be a great signing for Newcastle.
Having shaken off an early season thigh strain, he is now showing his best form for the Magpies.
It’s two goals in his last three Premier League outings, which followed the brace he hit against Bournemouth last month.
Rondon is a very similar player to Mitrovic, which does beg the question of why he was allowed to leave the club.
But this is the situation, and if Rondon can continue to be a menace for the team then it’s likely Mitrovic will not be missed, despite being a slightly better finisher of chances.
On Saturday, Rondon has the chance to outpeform his predecessor and prove Rafa Benitez right for letting him go.