By Noel Whelan

18th Oct, 2021 | 6:00pm

Pundit slams Rondon for 'agitating' Everton fans after horror reveal

Noel Whelan has claimed Salomon Rondon is under “huge pressure” to break his Everton duck as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison’s absences continue to be felt.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 32-year-old is in a similar situation to that of Harry Kane, who finally scored his first goal in seven league games yesterday.

As per FBRef, Rondon has registered an expected goals figure of just 0.13/game in his five Everton outings, with the injured Calvert-Lewin notching 1.36 xG/game in his three starts – highlighting how much the Toffees miss their star man.

The Venezuelan hitman joined the Merseyside club on a free transfer from Chinese outfit Dalian Professional on deadline day.

It is the third time Rondon has been under the stewardship of Rafa Benitez. They also linked up at Newcastle and Dalian.

Whelan insisted the striker could yet find the goalscoring touch to end a drought which will “agitate the Everton fans”.

“Two out of the three main signings Rafa Benitez has made have been fantastic,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.

“Rondon is the one who hasn’t quite hit the same heights as Demerai Gray or Andros Townsend.

“But then if you talk about Harry Kane needing a goal to kick-start his season, the same applies to Rondon.

“Goals are what strikers get paid for, the longer droughts go on for, the more desperate he will become and the more agitated the fans will be.

“He needs to find a goal from somewhere to give him back that confidence and get the ball rolling – potentially even go on a goalscoring spree.

“Right now, the pressure is on him to produce otherwise questions will be asked.”

In other news, pundit tips Everton to land two January signings after £9million reveal.