By Alan Hutton

2nd Dec, 2021 | 7:51am

Rondon is in woeful condition and 'ten yards' off the pace for Everton - pundit

Alan Hutton has questioned Salomon Rondon’s fitness levels for Everton after Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool.

The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 32-year-old has looked “10 yards” off the pace all season.

Rondon played 59 minutes in Wednesday’s (1 December) Merseyside derby.

The summer signing has featured regularly under Rafael Benitez with first-choice striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin out through injury.

However, Hutton insisted, despite all the extra game time, Rondon still does not look anywhere fit enough for the Toffees.

Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Before he came to Everton, I don’t know the situation with him out in China and Russia and the playing situation.

“He didn’t look fit at all, to me. You could tell whenever he has come on or started he looked not even a yard short. He looked 10 yards short if I’m brutally honest.

“The more he plays, he still doesn’t quite seem up to speed to me. So I don’t think he can sit there on the bench and be a backup to Calvert-Lewin.

“When he comes on the pitch, I don’t think he’s offering much to the team. Maybe moving forward, I think they’ll look elsewhere.”

Rondon has started seven times in 10 Premier League appearances so far this season.

However, he is still yet to find the back of the net or even contribute an assist for the Toffees.

With Calvert-Lewin out, Everton’s only other recognised centre-forward is Cenk Tosun.

The Turkey international made his first appearance of the season with a five-minute cameo against Liverpool.

In other news, Kieran Maguire issues “£498million” Everton “investment” reveal ahead of January.