Former Premier League defender Danny Mills has urged Everton to axe Salomon Rondon from the starting XI.
The 32-year-old was forced off in the Merseyside derby with what appeared to be a hamstring problem.
However, prior to that moment, the Venezuelan had struggled to make an impact on proceedings.
Now without a goal in 11 appearances as a Blue, Mills told Football Insider that time must be up for the Rondon experiment.
Rondon works very, very hard. He didn’t really create too much, he didn’t really offer too much-attacking prowess and threat. Can you really justify having a player in the team just to meet clearances and challenge for headers? Probably not is the answer. Rondon is what he is. He’s big, he’s cumbersome and he’s a target man. He will work very hard for you but Everton need a little bit more than that right now. He wouldn’t be playing so much if Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasn’t injured.
Highlighting the measly 27 touches against Liverpool as a serious point of concern, Mills was clearly unimpressed with Rondon’s lack of influence.
Signed as a free transfer on deadline day by Rafa Benitez from Chinese club Dalian Professional, the 83-cap ace has struggled to lead the line for the Toffees.
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Ultimately it’s the last line that that stands out most of all here.
Rondon was brought in to provide additional strength-in-depth and perhaps a plan B.
Instead, the ex-Newcastle United man has found himself as the last remaining recognised striker in the squad and with plenty of burden to carry.
Seemingly injured now anyway, it’s unlikely the £4.5million valued man will feature against Arsenal on Monday night at least.
