2021/22 James Rodriguez

[ToffeeTim]

I dont like the play maker type no.10 role. I've said it a lot of times. No good team in this league uses this type of player. They use pacey players who carry the ball and are able to play across the front line.

If you lack pace and mobility and do not carry the ball forward, then I dont think you can be effective in that position in English football. We need to get the ball forward quickly and be direct. Can we do that and counter attack effectively with James in a central role? I'm not sure to be honest. We were unable to last year.

 

[GrimbolandBlue]

I'm just gonna say this: I do not want to see James go. I've loved having him in our shirt, and he's the most talented player i've seen kick a ball for Everton since Arteta in my eyes. I want to see him be welcomed by a packed Goodison and then fall in love with us

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

I dont like the play maker type no.10 role. I've said it a lot of times. No good team in this league uses this type of player. They use pacey players who carry the ball and are able to play across the front line.

If you lack pace and mobility and do not carry the ball forward, then I dont think you can be effective in that position in English football. We need to get the ball forward quickly and be direct. Can we do that and counter attack effectively with James in a central role? I'm not sure to be honest. We were unable to last year.

Are you suggesting James does not push the ball forward in offensive positions?

 

[ToffeeTim]

Are you suggesting James does not push the ball forward in offensive positions?

I think he can be effective when coming in off the right and this would allow a full back to overlap and also protect him defensively.

I dont think he can be effective through the middle because it is too congested for a player lacking in mobility and pace. Playing him as a no.10 also means we cant counter attack effectively. Hes not someone who will run past players and carry the ball upfield.

We also were massively overrun when he played as an attacking midfielder. Its very hard to get a foothold in matches when one of your central players in midfield doesn't offer anything off the ball. We struggled even worse when Iwobi played as a no.10. We were extremely easy to play against and couldn't attack at pace either. For me, the no.10 playmaker is an outdated position with no place in modern football.

If you like slow paced build up and passive possession football then James will be OK in a central attacking position. But if we want to get the ball forward quickly and remain balanced and solid, I think the right is his position. But in a 442 that position does not exist so I'm unsure where he fits in.

I personally would like to see us play 433 with him on the right in certain matches where we need a midfield 3.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

I think he can be effective when coming in off the right and this would allow a full back to overlap and also protect him defensively.

I dont think he can be effective through the middle because it is too congested for a player lacking in mobility and pace. Playing him as a no.10 also means we cant counter attack effectively. Hes not someone who will run past players and carry the ball upfield.

We also were massively overrun when he played as an attacking midfielder. Its very hard to get a foothold in matches when one of your central players in midfield doesn't offer anything off the ball. We struggled even worse when Iwobi played as a no.10. We were extremely easy to play against and couldn't attack at pace either. For me, the no.10 playmaker is an outdated position with no place in modern football.

If you like slow paced build up and passive possession football then James will be OK in a central attacking position. But if we want to get the ball forward quickly and remain balanced and solid, I think the right is his position. But in a 442 that position does not exist so I'm unsure where he fits in.

I personally would like to see us play 433 with him on the right in certain matches where we need a midfield 3.

You are welcome to your opinion, but his stats are what they are.

If you think he would have offered less than Iwobi coming off the bench then again that's your choice and indicative of the value of your opinion.

Offensive players have speed in different ways, pace and thought, or both. James ability to spot and pick a pass is way beyond any of our players and is reflected in his stats - in a season that he struggled with injury.

 

[ToffeeM4n]

I'm not denying that mate but a lot of people aren't seeing the fact that the money men may wish he leaves because his contract runs out in 10 months, he's not a starter and is on 100k plus per week.

He is. Even Benitez won't bench him if he's healthy. He'll either get rid of him or play him imo.

 

[Ryu79]

I'd expect his agent - having got him here on a free - will expect us to release him without a fee, for the benefit of getting his wages off the books... if he's going.

Spot on. I'd expect that Milan and Porto and whoever else is waiting Everton out expect the same...and that's why this is taking a minute to get resolved (now that Mendes is telling teams James will lower wage expectation if it means he can move somewhere he can play).

Everton's decision on this as we near the deadline will be super interesting. Do they keep him betting the wages Rafael plays him or do they let him go to find some wage space?

 

[ToffeeTim]

You are welcome to your opinion, but his stats are what they are.

If you think he would have offered less than Iwobi coming off the bench then again that's your choice and indicative of the value of your opinion.

Offensive players have speed in different ways, pace and thought, or both. James ability to spot and pick a pass is way beyond any of our players and is reflected in his stats - in a season that he struggled with injury.

I'm not criticising the player, I'm just questioning the clamour for a 'playmaker no.10". I dont think people really understand what that role does for the balance of the team and how it dictates how a team plays.

I dont want anyone in our current side playing in that role. I want a totally different system without that position so we can attack with more pace and get the ball to our 2 strikers far quicker.

I've definitely never said I prefer Iwobi over James! In fact, James best football for us last year was all on the right at the start of the season. His poor performances in the second half of the season were from a more central role.

 

[Groucho]

I dont like the play maker type no.10 role.

I only agree in part.

I’ve always been a 442 wingers man but it always pays to be able to mix it up

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

I'm not criticising the player, I'm just questioning the clamour for a 'playmaker no.10". I dont think people really understand what that role does for the balance of the team and how it dictates how a team plays.

I dont want anyone in our current side playing in that role. I want a totally different system without that position so we can attack with more pace and get the ball to our 2 strikers far quicker.

I've definitely never said I prefer Iwobi over James! In fact, James best football for us last year was all on the right at the start of the season. His poor performances in the second half of the season were from a more central role.

Understood, and I get what you are saying, mate.

My opinion is simply that we clearly have a world class player in James and that these types of players are 'the difference'. How he can be best used tactically is a question for Benitez but it does feel that it is not about James ability but more about Benitez's attitude/Real experience.

For me, there is a long list of players I'd like to see moved before James.

 

[Paul Rideout]

He’s a luxury player. An extremely gifted player, but still, a luxury.

We can have one passenger in the team. Last year we had him, slomes & he who must not be named for legal reasons. That’s two passengers too many.

I want him to play at home with a crowd and see if the noise changes his mind.

 

[BNJ1878]

I'd expect his agent - having got him here on a free - will expect us to release him without a fee, for the benefit of getting his wages off the books... if he's going.

I'll be amazed if we get a fee.
I'll go even further. I'll be amazed if he's out the door without us subsidising his final 10 months.

It doesn’t though, the club have the option of a further 12 months.

lol

Nothing has changed that way though since we bought Tim. We knew he wouldn’t play every week but when he did he would make the difference.

And he DID make a difference.

The problem was, after about 7 or 8 games most teams (particularly the low/mid table ones) figured he was our only plan.

 

[tim cahill]

We could've done with his set pieces on Saturday. Our corners weren't great.

 

[Shibbywiggles]

If you like slow paced build up and passive possession football then James will be OK in a central attacking position.

James is incredibly quick to pick and play a precision through ball though.
What part of his control and pass for Richarlison’s goal at Anfield was slow or passive? His driving run and then first time finish on the rebound for his goal against Leicester? Getting in the box and first time finish against Palace? Constantly switching the play with his first or second touch to Digne and Richarlison first few games of the season?

What changed is Everton became slow and passive. We stopped attacking freely like we did at the start of the season (often because of injuries or suspensions to Digne, Richarlison, Doucoure and Allan) so every time James looked up he had the likes of Sigurdsson, Gomes and Iwobi standing still and DCL marked by two defenders.

 

[Rooney_Tunes]

James is incredibly quick to pick and play a precision through ball though.
What part of his control and pass for Richarlison’s goal at Anfield was slow or passive? His driving run and then first time finish on the rebound for his goal against Leicester? Getting in the box and first time finish against Palace? Constantly switching the play with his first or second touch to Digne and Richarlison first few games of the season?

What changed is Everton became slow and passive. We stopped attacking freely like we did at the start of the season (often because of injuries or suspensions to Digne, Richarlison, Doucoure and Allan) so every time James looked up he had the likes of Sigurdsson, Gomes and Iwobi standing still and DCL marked by two defenders.

Well said.