Everton block Salomon Rondon from travelling for international games
Everton have asked Salomon Rondon to snub this month’s international games with Venezuela due to his fitness, according to Marca.
The striker, 32, joined the Toffees in the summer as a free agent, but his lack of pre-season preparations has seen him struggle to hit the ground running.
Everton see the international break as an opportunity for Rondon to continue his personal training as they look to get him back into peak condition, and given their current lack of depth in attack, they would prefer if he snubs international duty, especially as he could miss a game on his return.
Makes sense
The Toffees summer arrival will miss the game against Manchester City should he opt to travel for the international games, and with Richarlison and Cenk Tosun the only striking options at the moment, it is clear to see why Rafa Benitez would love to hold on to him.
He missed last month’s games on the advice of Everton, so Rondon could be keen to stay back at Finch Farm again this time.
Venezuela are bottom of South America’s World Cup qualifiers group, and their games against Ecuador and Peru this month are not of great significance giving their very slim chances of booking a place at the 2022 tournament.
Travelling all those miles for the dead rubber clashes instead of working on his fitness does not look like a great choice to make.
Rondon is yet to score or assist in seven league appearances for Everton, and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin not likely to return soon, they need him to start firing on all cylinders.
Sacrificing the chance to add to his international caps could be for a good cause in the long run, and he has to consider it.
In other Everton news, a Toffees ace is set to be assessed ahead of Tottenham clash after major Monday blow.
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