Salomon Rondon has opened the door to a shock January return to Newcastle United, saying he’d jump at the chance to return to St James’ Park in 2021 if Steve Bruce wanted him.
The Venezuelan joined Rafa Benitez in China last summer after we decided not to activate our option to sign him for £16.5m and has been in impressive form in an otherwise difficult season for Dalian Yifang, bagging 9 goals in 14 games in the CSL this season.
That said, the former NUFC powerhouse has today told The Guardian that he ‘loved the pressure’ that came with the No 9 shirt and feels he proved that he was good enough to wear the famous jersey.
Here’s what he’s had to say about his time on Tyneside, his move to China and his eagerness to return if we came calling in January:
“I loved the pressure, proved I could wear that No 9 shirt and I thought I could stay,”
“But you never know what can happen in football; it’s like a mystery. If they gave me the chance then of course I would not have missed it, but they didn’t say anything. Then Rafa called me and said: ‘Do you want to come to China? I have this project.’
“In the end a footballer’s career is so short and I try to take care of my family, my kids and my own future.
“But if, in January, I had a chance to sign again for Newcastle I would do it for sure because they gave me a lot and I felt so much when I was at St James’.”
“Maybe people say he talks too much, says you have to do this and that, but with a coach like him you have to listen carefully and since my first meeting with him it’s been amazing. He’s meant a lot for my career.”
There’s nothing I’d love more to see the big man back scoring goals in a black and white shirt.
He was not only a man mountain who could hold the ball up, work hard and run the channels, but also scored goals and brought others into play.
I can’t see it happening based on the huge money he’ll be on in China and his age (he’s just turned 31), but if a loan move presented itself in January it would be an absolute no brainer for Steve Bruce.
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