2020/21 James Rodriguez

[trueblue84]

No, when he's here we have to get as much out of him as possible. He has some extreme skills, and we must use them. But I disagree with the strategy of buying player profiles like him. Now can you answer my question?

Is your question "how do you manage Rodriguez only being fit for 50% of games?"

You don't... You accept that he isn't going to be fit for every game and get the most out of the games where he is fit. That's pretty much what we've been doing. We need extra players to support him, but for the next few years I guarantee that when he's fit, he will be the first name on the teamsheet.

 

[wandyr79]

Those crossfield balls to Digne, why can no other player in the team do this?!

To be fair there were a few over to Coleman as well, from other players, maybe not as pin point or the same flat trajectory but all not all players have to have the same abilities or techniques.

Why should every player do exactly the same thing? Other players in other positions so don't have the opportunity to play those balls, for example, in a deeper role, in a more central role, on the other side but a slightly different player or the team happens to be less balanced (Holgate on the right).

It is like saying, why can't all players take a free kick like [insert player name here] or why can't all players tackle like so and so.

 

[North pole]

To be fair there were a few over to Coleman as well, from other players, maybe not as pin point or the same flat trajectory but all not all players have to have the same abilities or techniques.

Why should every player do exactly the same thing? Other players in other positions so don't have the opportunity to play those balls, for example, in a deeper role, in a more central role, on the other side but a slightly different player or the team happens to be less balanced (Holgate on the right).

It is like saying, why can't all players take a free kick like [insert player name here] or why can't all players tackle like so and so.

I think he meant that those crossfield balls look so easy you would think any other player could do the same.

 

[wandyr79]

I think he meant that those crossfield balls look so easy you would think any other player could do the same.

If they meant that then my comment still stands

He makes them look easy, I mean you are right they do look easy for him and I look at it and think that looks so effortless and easy I could even do it consistently like he can but we all know that it isn't that easy and it takes a certain skill set to perform to that high standard for that particular skill. Not every player will have that and we are lucky to have a player who can do that, and other things, so well. We certainly should not be using him to have a go at other players for not being him.

 

[Martin Alvito]

JR is a fantastic footballer, but he is not relevant for any top clubs in Europe. The reason is simple: He lacks the necessary intensity in his game, too often slightly injured, and is too expensive. If we are to build a competitive squad, he is the type we must steer clear of.

Just insane.

The only reason we have him as opposed to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich is the fitness issues.

We got him on a free on a wage that's within our scale. Despite missing all that time, he has as many goals in the Prem as Abraham, Firmino, Cavani, Richarlison and Grealish.

He's not the problem. What's surrounding him is the problem. We don't finish consistently, and the midfield can't keep the ball. That puts a lot of pressure on our defense to deliver, which it often does, but expecting a clean sheet every game is unrealistic.

The club's priorities should be to surround him with the talent to maximize his ability when available (assuming we can keep him) while gutting out wins and draws when he isn't.

 

[kev101]

Great player, but he doesn't want to play for us. Imo he's come here on a 'play when you want to' unspoken contract, there's no place for that in football for me. Just plays to keep 'fit' for his country.. a bit like Richarlson.

 

[Terrarian]

Great player, but he doesn't want to play for us. Imo he's come here on a 'play when you want to' unspoken contract, there's no place for that in football for me. Just plays to keep 'fit' for his country.. a bit like Richarlson.

I dunno, he already had injury problems, every man and his dog knew that, he has come to the most intense league in world football and had no pre-season.

I think next season we'll see a more available and fitter James, IMO of course.

 

[kev101]

I dunno, he already had injury problems, every man and his dog knew that, he has come to the most intense league in world football and had no pre-season.

I think next season we'll see a more available and fitter James, IMO of course.

Yes true. But come on, just look at him when he gets a tap on the ankle, every time he's down and whinging, then hobbling around for 5 minutes looking at the ref for a cuddle. A rap on the ankle hurts, but happens to every single player, every single match, I'm sure it hurts them just as much but they just get up and carry on like nothing happened.

 

[Terrarian]

Yes true. But come on, just look at him when he gets a tap on the ankle, every time he's down and whinging, then hobbling around for 5 minutes looking at the ref for a cuddle. A rap on the ankle hurts, but happens to every single player, every single match, I'm sure it hurts them just as much but they just get up and carry on like nothing happened.

Haha yeah he is a bit of a fanny(am I allowed to say that yikes) to be fair but he has magic in his boots. I wonder if psychologically his injuries effect him slightly in game.

 

[Big_nev]

I dunno, he already had injury problems, every man and his dog knew that, he has come to the most intense league in world football and had no pre-season.

I think next season we'll see a more available and fitter James, IMO of course.

You are correct, he's got an extensive injury history and seems to suffer a lot of calf injuries. Happened at Bayern, happened at Madrid and of course it's happening here. Chances of him having an injury free season in the future just isn't likely to happen but of course he's a massive asset to our squad. He's just not somebody we can overly rely on.

 

[kev101]

Haha yeah he is a bit of a fanny(am I allowed to say that yikes) to be fair but he has magic in his boots. I wonder if psychologically his injuries effect him slightly in game.

Looks like fannies are ok on here, where as the shortened form of Richard gets you told off.. that's the matriarchal society for ya lol

 

[kev]

Looks like fannies are ok on here, where as the shortened form of Richard gets you told off.. that's the matriarchal society for ya lol

Well that's rich . . . . . . . oh hang on, as you were.

 

[Zezti]

Great player, but he doesn't want to play for us. Imo he's come here on a 'play when you want to' unspoken contract, there's no place for that in football for me. Just plays to keep 'fit' for his country.. a bit like Richarlson.

Yeah I don't want him creating and scoring goals for us either. Much prefer to lose yesterday without his quality, the proper Everton way.

 

[billyblue80]

He must wonder why he came here when the players around him can't execute even 20% of what he does like yesterday

 

[Egil Olsen]

Just insane.

The only reason we have him as opposed to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich is the fitness issues.

We got him on a free on a wage that's within our scale. Despite missing all that time, he has as many goals in the Prem as Abraham, Firmino, Cavani, Richarlison and Grealish.

He's not the problem. What's surrounding him is the problem. We don't finish consistently, and the midfield can't keep the ball. That puts a lot of pressure on our defense to deliver, which it often does, but expecting a clean sheet every game is unrealistic.

The club's priorities should be to surround him with the talent to maximize his ability when available (assuming we can keep him) while gutting out wins and draws when he isn't.

But that's quite important, isn 't it? Even if you have a Ferrari, you will not win a 365-day car race against a Toyota if it only works 160 days. For me, fitness is a pretty significant issue.

I am not arguing that JR is not a very good football player, he is the very definition of a classic No. 10, but in today's European football there is no room for them anymore. Possibly someone will revolutionize this again, but it remains to be seen.

Often this season, AD has had to play two roles to hide JR's weaknesses. It does not work if you are going to compete against the best. We have also seen it this season, the opponents have strategically attacked on our left side.

In today's football you have to have speed, and you have to have many high intensity sprints. Unfortunately, JR is not capable of that, and along with his fitness problems and this inability, he is out of the question for the big clubs.