Rondon is now into his second season at West Brom, and has cemented his place as a key member of the preferred Tony Pulis starting lineup.
Rondon got his season off to a flying start by grabbing the decisive goal on the opening day against Crystal Palace. The forward headed home James McClean’s free-kick to ensure the Baggies left Selhurst Park with all three points. Rondon put in an impressive performance, effectively bullying the Palace centre-backs.
Next up was Albion’s first home game of the season against Everton. Rondon was again paired upfront with Saido Berahino, but the two struggled against a well-drilled Ronald Koeman side. Albion’s goal came from a corner as they struggled to create anything clear-cut in open play. It turned out to be a frustrating day for West Brom and Rondon, as Everton went on to dominate the second-half and comfortably took all three points.
Rondon was benched for West Brom’s EFL Cup tie against Northampton Town. Tony Pulis started with Berahino and Rickie Lambert upfront, but the out-of-form forwards wasted their chances at Sixfields. Pulis brought on Rondon after Northampton’s late equaliser, but his late introduction wasn’t enough to inspire a winner – and the game went to penalties. Rondon scored his spot-kick, but misses from James Morrison and Berahino meant Albion were dumped out by the League One side.
Rondon endured another frustrating afternoon at the Hawthorns as Middlesbrough and West Brom played out a goalless draw. Once again, there was little in open play for Rondon, as neither side looked like breaking through.
The Venezuelan striker then went away on international duty to play in World Cup qualifying games against Argentina and Columbia. After a 2-2 draw with Argentina and a 2-0 defeat to Colombia, Rondon returned to claim a place on the bench for West Brom’s trip to Bournemouth. Pulis’ side found it difficult without Rondon’s presence in attack, and spent large periods of the first-half pinned back in their own half. Rondon replaced Berahino on the 63th minute, but he looked tired and failed to impact the game.
A day after his 27th birthday, Rondon played a starring role in West Brom’s 4-2 win over West Ham. The ex-Zenit and Malaga man netted Albion’s second goal with a brilliant turn and low strike past Adrian. Early in the second-half, Darren Fletcher played a wonderful ball to Rondon to launch a West Brom counter-attack. Rondon carried the ball from the halfway line to West Ham’s penalty area and then squared it for Nacer Chadli to tap the ball in. A goal and an assist capped off a tremendous day for Rondon and the Baggies.
Rondon had to work tirelessly in West Brom’s trip to Stoke. His chances were limited, and it seemed to be heading for another frustrating afternoon when Stoke took the lead. Despite having a quiet afternoon, Rondon powerfully headed home Jonathan Leko’s corner kick to hand West Brom their equaliser. It was a game that epitomised his time at West Brom so far – lots of endeavour and finally some well-earned rewards.
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