Albion blog: Salomon Rondon - Venezuela's most significant export

Along with the world's largest oil reserves and a huge petroleum operation comes an export that may prove as vital to the Albion as Venezuela's primary resource is to their GDP...Salomon Rondon.

At £12 Million a few eyebrows were raised at the size of the fee for a relatively unknown, untried in the Premier League player from the Russian leagues. Indeed comparisons were instantly drawn between the very noble, yet ultimately unsuccessful, Brown Ideye.

If rumours are to be believed we lost a substantial amount of the outlay on Ideye following his sale to Olympiacos in the summer...writes blogger Duncan Hodgkiss

Of course we are still in early days, but the signs are encouraging. What's more, he seems to be enjoying every minute of his time with us no matter what role he is given or who he plays with.

What does he offer? Well; it appears a bit of everything. He's no slouch and is quick running the channels. He's very physical and puts his body on the line in challenges and off the ball. He holds the ball up well and takes pressure off the defence. He has an eye for a pass and is technically adept with both feet. He works tirelessly for the team, a perpetual all action grafter that must worry opposition defences constantly.

There's just one thing lacking at the moment...the all important goals. Three in 13 is not a bad return. The spurned chances and the nature of those presented will be a slight concern.

The Premier League is very unforgiving. For a team that sets up the way we do and the well drilled defences with high quality players that we come up against, chances are at a premium. Two chances that remain fresh in the memory are the header at West Ham and the chance from 6 yards against Tottenham. Both should have been converted.

Personally I don't think we have anything to fear. The goals will come. He's certainly getting into the right positions, and forging his own chances, like the charging run directly at the heart of the Tottenham defence in the first 5 minutes of the game.

Not forgetting a blistering drive against West Ham that just grazed the post. It was a chance he fashioned himself, out of nothing. He quickly readjusted his feet and let fly. Shades of Cyrille?

His previous goals record suggests it's only a matter of time before he starts hitting the net more regularly. He scored 25 goals in 67 games for Malaga, 13 in 36 for Rubin Kazan and 20 in 37 for Zenit.

Moreover he has shown a willingness to work hard, to chase down lost causes, to never give up and it is infectious throughout the team.

He has the wholehearted support of all his teammates, staff, management, well respected ex pro's connected to us and of course the fans. I think we have really taken to him and he is well on the way to becoming a firm fans favourite.

What adds weight to this is the plight of his home country. Poverty stricken, triple digit inflation, oil price slumps (it contributes to half of their GDP), civil unrest, a country struggling (but thankfully succeeding) in shaking off its oppressive dictatorial past.

We are all aware of his frequent trips back to South America. Rondon is a superstar back in Venezuela and, in line with the country's own revolution, heads a group of players that are demanding the resignation of their federation's directors.

Despite all of this, plus the inevitable jet lag, he always gives 100%. No moaning or complaints just effort. He plays the game with commitment, passion and determination and always with a smile on his face. Le ves el queso a la tostada Rondon!