When Does James Rodriguez Start Playing Again
When James Rodriguez was unveiled every bit an Everton player amid much fanfare last September, it was rightly viewed as a major coup and a sign of the club's stated ambition under Carlo Ancelotti.
Reunited with the Italian for a third time in his illustrious career, the cease of his six-twelvemonth stay at Real Madrid was marked across the city'south landmarks through billboards and a projection on the Albert Dock.
It was not just in Liverpool where Rodriguez's arrival was making waves. The tallest skyscraper in Bogota, the Torre Colpatria, was lit upwards with a spectacular blue low-cal show displaying James'due south No 19 shirt. In that location were too displays in New York's Times Foursquare and in Miami Beach.
Everton'south marketing director Richard Kenyon said at the time: "James' popularity in these territories represents a brilliant opportunity for us - and fits perfectly with our international strategy and the associated marketing and date activity which had already begun in these areas."
The 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner signed a two-year deal at Goodison Park, while the club held the choice of taking up a third twelvemonth.
He was labelled equally '1 of the globe'southward most popular footballers' upon his unveiling, only fast-forward to the present day, and his one-year ceremony passed last calendar week without acknowledgement from the social club.
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Everton were in talks to sign Porto winger Luis Diaz every bit part of a swap deal but the motility failed to materialise, while Rodriguez'south Turkish amanuensis Ahmet Bulut then claimed he turned down a transfer to Istanbul Basaksehir in favour of fighting for his place on Merseyside.
For those who are yet to see him at Goodison, Rodriguez is viewed as a i-season wonder in a marriage with Ancelotti that about seemed too adept to be true. Merely with his mentor gone, there was a sense of inevitability the Colombian would besides seek pastures new.
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Rafael Benitez, who ironically also replaced Ancelotti at Real Madrid dorsum in 2015, has outlined a vision since his controversial appointment that has focused on a united front end where all parties are singing off the aforementioned hymn sheet.
Ahead of his second home game in charge confronting Burnley on Mon Night Football game, the reaction amongst those in attendance has been a positive one - far removed from the perception that his weekly appearances in the Everton dug-out would resemble a popularity contest.
There has been much-needed harmony and a surprising stillness to these early on months of his tenure, and victory this night would move his side into the top four, level on x points with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Creating a more than intimate camp that supporters can better identify with is key to this, and weeding out those who are non committed to the cause is essential if Everton are to make sustained progress.
Rodriguez's first flavor
Benitez acknowledges that winning games will keep fans happy, then departing company with a histrion whose creativity shone through at times in a squad short on goals last flavour would withal be a risk.
His supporters will point to his sublime finish from the border of the box against Leicester, his double early in his stay against Brighton, the silky touches to gear up up his finish at Manchester United and to play in Richarlison for the opener in the victory at Liverpool in February.
But so besides will his detractors betoken to the chance the club initially took in offering a actor on the wane, and with a troublesome calf, £220,000 a calendar week. Rodriguez would undoubtedly flicker into life with more moments of brilliance, just his critics would argue that building a team around such a mercurial talent makes no long-term sense.
A major factor in the role player's failure to reproduce his best form on a consistent footing was his inability to build on an encouraging start.
Rodriguez began Everton's opening six league matches last term nether Ancelotti only failed to first more than iv sequent Premier League fixtures for the remainder of the entrada.
In spite of his injury history, Rodriguez made 21 Premier League starts final term - the first fourth dimension he had appeared from the off in more 20 league games since playing for Real Madrid in 2014-15.
His last goal was typical Rodriguez, finding an improbable gap at Vicente Guaita'south about post back in April to give Everton the lead against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.
Information technology was the 100th goal of his European order career and 12th in which the one-time Real Madrid midfielder had been involved in during 14 abode games in all competitions.
But in keeping with his stay on Merseyside, information technology would not prove a winning contribution.
Everton faded to ultimately meet their European aspirations dented by a late Michy Batshuayi equaliser, and and so did James in a bluish shirt. Indeed, it was in the only goal in his final 14 league matches, playing in only v of those games equally the side finished tenth in the Premier League.
Why is he even so to characteristic this season?
Rodriguez's future at Everton has never been too far from the agenda from the moment Ancelotti left, while his absence at the kickoff of the season was less malignant in nature, caused by Covid-19 regulations.
The histrion's apply of streaming service Twitch to provide his followers with updates on his time to come has been unhelpful and his comments accept infuriated supporters.
To those whose staple nutrition is following a club steeped in history just starved of recent success, translated soundbites surrounding his state of happiness on a gaming platform is a dish hard to digest.
The official line from the club was that Rodriguez was in Benitez's plans 'until August 31' - a pointed response from a managing director who had made it clear from an early chat with the role player that he did not characteristic in his plans.
Learning of how someone so handsomely remunerated became so detached from his employers to the point of not knowing who they were playing was a confession which appeared to nearly seal his leave.
It may accept been a momentary lapse requiring the aid of social media, but it was a prime case of the disconnect that Benitez is striving to eradicate.
In that location is an entirely valid and logical reason for wishing to cut ties. Everton have spent merely £1.7m on iv new faces this summer having racked up losses of well-nigh £265m in the three years earlier 2019-20.
Speaking earlier this month, Benitez said: "The reality is that we know the fiscal fair play rules are there and nosotros have to follow them. I know what is the situation and we volition try to practice our all-time with the players we have.
"If we can strengthen our squad we will try to practice it. In these circumstances we take to motion players on - that is simple to understand."
The social club are having to cutting their cloth accordingly post-obit years of lavish spending and in removing Rodriguez's lucrative contract from their wage bill, they hoped to costless upwards space for new signings while finding a solution which suits all parties.
Where would James fit in under Rafa?
Rodriguez made no undercover of how Ancelotti was a huge gene in him signing for Everton, just the club need to build their future effectually players who run into being an integral part of the first team as the ultimate goal.
Benitez'south early approach has unashamedly revolved effectually retaining the club's better players and more than specifically servicing their England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The order'southward transfer strategy this summer centred on acute signings at low cost, in stark dissimilarity to the slightly less measured approach seen under previous regimes.
In the 3-i victory over Southampton on the opening weekend, it was the directness of the squad's approach which stirred a second-half turnaround. There had been an injection of footstep and the visitors were unable to react to the alter in tempo since the interruption.
It was non hard to wonder quite where Rodriguez would fit in the side that day as Everton embarked on their opening-day comeback, but Benitez believes in that location will be games where utilising the player's specialist skill gear up in central moments can make a significant contribution.
"If he stays with us, information technology'south expert news for united states because he can give us something more," Benitez said last week. "Nosotros don't have whatsoever doubt about his quality, nosotros accept to be certain that we have players playing for 90 minutes with the intensity we're looking for.
"Each thespian has his characteristics, and some games where he can be the divergence."
Finding the best solution at Everton
Rodriguez has been viewed by the gild as dispensable, not least because of the team Benitez is trying to mould.
Everton's summer transfer plans were hamstrung past the league's profitability and sustainability rules pregnant that getting their top earner off the books was vital to facilitating new signings.
But, having failed to secure a move away, the Everton dominate has now prepare his wantaway star the claiming of showing he tin can all the same offer something to his squad. The door has been left open for a return.
Speaking ahead of the Burnley disharmonism, alive on Heaven Sports, Benitez said: "I have seen what was going on at the end of the season, what was going on this season with some social media comments.
"It was not like shooting fish in a barrel, considering he was available in the transfer window. At present that nosotros take just the Middle-E window open, information technology'south not like shooting fish in a barrel.
"I think he realised he has to improve in a lot of things. He has to focus, he has to evidence his commitment. That's what he'south trying to do and that is practiced for the states.
"If James is staying with us, we need to observe the correct games for him, and he has to show his commitment and his desire. It's something his team-mates, fans and staff are expecting for him. If he can practise that, he tin make a contribution for the team."
Pictures emerged of the histrion on holiday in Ibiza during the contempo international break but he is now back working hard on the grooming pitches of Finch Subcontract.
Benitez added: "Match fettle means that he has to play games, and he has to play games in a row, so, at the moment, I think he is a little bit behind the others."
Rodriguez must now get into shape and heed the advice.
How will Everton now evolve?
Benitez is clearly trying to accept Everton in a new direction just in that location is no mistaking the creative void Rodriguez's departure would leave. Only Gylfi Sigurdsson provided more assists (10) than his eight in all competitions last season, and and then the society must cover the need for creative reinforcements.
Abdoulaye Doucoure marked his first appearance in front of fans since his arrival concluding summertime from Watford with a goal in Everton'due south terminal dwelling house outing, and the Frenchman has been urged to be more aggressive and continue to get into advanced positions.
The early indications are that Benitez will set his team upward to be meaty when out of possession, while exploiting broad areas with the step and delivery of Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray. In the season drapery-raiser, the team produced 18 crosses against Southampton - half-dozen more than they averaged across the whole of last term.
Benitez has offered an early on reminder of his qualities to douse the Gwladys Street scepticism.
His ties to the squad across Stanley Park volition never exist banished, but what Everton supporters want to see is a manager who can remember outside of the box and change games.
Without a recognised No 10 readily available now in the squad, finding creative ways to utilise Gray, Townsend and Richarlison in behind Calvert-Lewin forms the first phase in the reorganisation.
With seven points collected from their opening three league games, the early signs accept been encouraging. Even when Calvert-Lewin was withdrawn against Brighton a fortnight agone, Alex Iwobi was introduced every bit part of an interchangeable frontward line.
Richarlison's exertions having been involved in the Copa America and Tokyo Olympics provides another challenge, only having demonstrated his expertise in handling the James thing, Benitez has shown himself to be up to the chore.
With the ball now firmly in the player'due south court, even Rodriguez himself might admit to that.
How to follow Everton vs Burnley
Everton vs Burnley is live on Sky Sports Premier League from 7pm; kick-off 8pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live friction match web log on the Sky Sports website and app.
Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube aqueduct shortly subsequently the concluding whistle.
Source: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/12386086/james-rodriguez-what-next-for-for-colombia-playmaker-at-everton
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