2021/22 James Rodriguez

[Spadge Vernacular]

Everton manager Rafael Benitez has offered an update on James Rodriguez’s situation and confirmed that the Colombian is training “normally” with his team-mates but insists that it’s difficult to assess whether the player is ready to return to first team duties.

Great to hear that he is not training abnormally.

Benitez probably had a bit of puke come into his mouth and not being able to say negative things about him.

 

[PaddyJames]

Great to hear that he is not training abnormally.

Benitez probably had a bit of puke come into his mouth and not being able to say negative things about him.

Why do you think Benitez has got something personal against him?

To me it looks like he's come in, assessed the squad and its mentality (and likely asked the likes of Dunc about him) and decided to build a desire within the player to improve himself? Maybe a manager with his list of honours has a handle on player management and this is part of his plan to get the best out of the squad for the good of the club? I know that might sound difficult to believe for a Bedsheet bandit but maybe just maybe the fella knows what he's doing....

 

[messymascot]

Start by putting him on the bench there are 9 places available and only 3 can come on so that doesn't mean he plays. What it does mean is he's available if we need someone to come off the bench and offer something different. Then if he comes on and makes a difference start consider using him from the start where maybe his skill set would allow us to control a game in a different way and give the opposition manager something to think about. If he stinks the place our sub him and next game he starts on the bench again. Absolutely criminal having an asset like that and then not making it available for use.

 

[davek]

Probably mentioned so apologies. Just wondering if he attended the match against Burnley to support his team mates?

Plenty of examples there of what he can do carrying the ball on the flank:

 

[jazzy]

Start by putting him on the bench there are 9 places available and only 3 can come on so that doesn't mean he plays. What it does mean is he's available if we need someone to come off the bench and offer something different. Then if he comes on and makes a difference start consider using him from the start where maybe his skill set would allow us to control a game in a different way and give the opposition manager something to think about. If he stinks the place our sub him and next game he starts on the bench again. Absolutely criminal having an asset like that and then not making it available for use.

Nail. On. The . Head.

 

[Joey66]

Any evidence he hasn't already been doing that? He himself says he is fit and ready. And has been training with the squad.

Urm, the Columbian National team sent him packing - reason = unfit -
I blame @COYBL25 for getting him hooked on grass ......
He & Delph must play cards all day ......
Put him in the under 23s that will get him fit .......

 

[Barnfred 55]

Nail. On. The . Head.

By the sounds of it Benitez would rather put a nail IN his head.

 

[Marius57]

Urm, the Columbian National team sent him packing - reason = unfit -
I blame @COYBL25 for getting him hooked on grass ......
He & Delph must play cards all day ......
Put him in the under 23s that will get him fit .......

What back in May? And then he played and trained through pre season and has been training other than a supposed 10 day isolation?

 

[collymcd]

Start by putting him on the bench there are 9 places available and only 3 can come on so that doesn't mean he plays. What it does mean is he's available if we need someone to come off the bench and offer something different. Then if he comes on and makes a difference start consider using him from the start where maybe his skill set would allow us to control a game in a different way and give the opposition manager something to think about. If he stinks the place our sub him and next game he starts on the bench again. Absolutely criminal having an asset like that and then not making it available for use.

100%

Gomes' role in the Burnley game was exactly the sort of opportunity for James. With the space Gomes found himself in you can guarantee that James would have gotten a goal or assist.

It's fair to say he doesn't suit our system well, but that doesn't mean he doesn't suit our squad. He's just too good of a footballer to be given the Niasse treatment and in my eyes can still play a massive part in our season.

 

[Marius57]

Start by putting him on the bench there are 9 places available and only 3 can come on so that doesn't mean he plays. What it does mean is he's available if we need someone to come off the bench and offer something different. Then if he comes on and makes a difference start consider using him from the start where maybe his skill set would allow us to control a game in a different way and give the opposition manager something to think about. If he stinks the place our sub him and next game he starts on the bench again. Absolutely criminal having an asset like that and then not making it available for use.

More criminal having him available and then only selecting 8 subs (2 of which were keepers) which he did a few games ago.

 

[miff]

Benitez doesn’t trust him, why?
He knows him and has managed him before - we haven’t.
Let him work hard, earn trust and then he might get picked.
Not hard is it?
Benitez’s success is based on making the right decision for the club not for one person.
Enjoy what we are doing and try to put this fella to one side until he earns a recall ??‍
Might work if we trust the person in charge not billy big bollox

 

[miff]

100%

Gomes' role in the Burnley game was exactly the sort of opportunity for James. With the space Gomes found himself in you can guarantee that James would have gotten a goal or assist.

It's fair to say he doesn't suit our system well, but that doesn't mean he doesn't suit our squad. He's just too good of a footballer to be given the Niasse treatment and in my eyes can still play a massive part in our season.

Benitez knows him and doesn’t trust him, he’s managed him before.
He’s going to have to earn that trust through hard work- not too much to ask is it?

 

[Joey66]

What back in May? And then he played and trained through pre season and has been training other than a supposed 10 day isolation?

In the friendly games he was useless - subbed - he looked totally disinterested ......I congratulate RB for dropping him - he has been a top class player, but we could not put him in a lucky bag & give him away no one wanted him he is that good atm....

 

[TacticallyEv]

If you don't want James Rodriguez to have a chance of working his way back into the team, give your head a wobble. He's our most talented player by far and hasn't once shown bad attitude on the pitch.

 

[miff]

If you don't want James Rodriguez to have a chance of working his way back into the team, give your head a wobble. He's our most talented player by far and hasn't once shown bad attitude on the pitch.

How do you know what he’s like behind the scenes?
Benitez knows him, me and you don’t.
He’s managed him and obviously doesn’t trust him