James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez says he remains in the dark over his future at Everton but ruled out a reunion with Carlo Ancelotti with Real Madrid. Rodriguez was signed by the Italian last summer from Real Madrid and produced some scintillating performances during his debut Premier League season, as he ended the campaign with 11 goal contributions in 23 games. The Columbian’s future was thrown into doubt as Ancelotti announced his shock departure at the start of June, as he returned to the Bernabeu to replace Zinedine Zidane. Ancelotti was replaced by Rafa Benitez and the ECHO understand the Colombian has been informed by the club that he will be free to leave the club in this window, if suitable offers are made. Everton are yet to receive an offer despite links to Serie A side AC Milan. During a stream on his official Twitch channel, James updated fans on his situation at the club.
James Rodriguez said: “I don’t know what’s going to happen, I don’t know, I don’t know where I’m going to play. You know that in football and in life you don’t know anything but all I know is that I’ve been training hard, preparing well, training for myself and that’s it. It’s complicated. Wherever I’m wanted. Someone has to be at a place they’re wanted.”
Given it was Ancelotti that brought the playmaker to Merseyside, he has been linked with a reunion back at his former club. However, Rodriguez quickly shot down the chances of returning to the Bernabeu.
James Rodriguez added: “Are you going back to Real Madrid? No, I don’t think so. That is a closed cycle which I won’t repeat.”
The former Bayern Munich and Monaco man has already started his preparations for the new season as he joined up with his Everton teammates and featured in their Florida Cup campaign, following his omission from Columbia’s Copa America squad this summer. Rafa Benitez’s men kick their Premier League season off against Southampton on August 14th.
