Salomon Rondon has told EvertonTV that Frank Lampard simply said to ‘keep training’ and his chance would come before scoring twice as Everton beat Boreham Wood in the FA Cup.
Lampard has rarely called on Rondon to play since replacing Rafa Benitez at the Goodison Park helm in January. Thursday’s cup clash with National League opposition was only the 32-year-old’s second appearance in all competitions since the Toffees changed head coach.
The Venezuelan’s only previous outing under Lampard came as an 86th-minute substitute at home to Leeds United last month. Rondon replaced Richarlison as stoppage-time neared with the Blues leading 3-0, for Everton’s sole Premier League victory under Lampard so far.
Rondon featured in the Toffees’ matchday squads for recent defeats to Southampton and Manchester City, but failed to face either. He has not taken kick-off for a top-flight fixture since Benitez’s final match in charge. Yet also lasted just 54-minutes in defeat at Norwich.
The Blues’ summer signing has mostly held a reserve role since moving to Merseyside as he had only scored once. Rondon struck his only Everton goal before hitting twice at home to Boreham Wood with the Goodison natives’ effort in a 3-1 December loss at Crystal Palace.
Lampard told Rondon just ‘keep training’ before Everton heroics in FA Cup
Rondon has now revealed that Lampard sought to keep his spirits high at Finch Farm ahead of Everton hosting Boreham Wood in the FA Cup by offering the striker one bit of advice.
“I try to score every time I can play. It is special to score at Goodison Park,” Rondon said. “The manager has just told me to keep training and doing my best every training session.
“When you get a chance, you have to take it. I did that and I’m really happy. I just have to try my best to help the team and score goals – I have to keep going.”
Rondon’s brace against Boreham Wood booked Lampard’s Everton an FA Cup quarter-final trip to Crystal Palace on March 19. But his midweek double is unlikely to see the 85-cap ace earn a ninth Premier League start this term when the Blues visit Tottenham on Monday.
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