Seasons2020-21Rumour Mill
Ancelotti dismisses talk of Rodriguez being unsettled
Carlo Ancelotti addressed an unfounded rumour from Spain by insisting that James Rodriguez is happy and motivated at Everton.
A solitary report of dubious veracity from Defensa Central claimed this week that the Colombian isn't enjoying life in England and that he has struggled to adapt to the weather, lifestyle and combative nature of the Premier League.
His prior association with Carlo Ancelotti was a major factor in his decision to join the Toffees on what has since been revealed to have been a free transfer frm Real Madrid and his manager was asked about Rodriguez's feelings during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Merseyside derby this weekend.
"He is okay, he has no problem," the Italian said. "I talk to him every day. He's happy here, confident, motivated.
"He had a a little problem in the last few games with his calf but now he's in a good condition.
"He really feels good here because everyone takes care of him.
"I don't know if he complains about the weather! We know it's not the best weather ever but there are a lot of good things in this area."
Reader Comments (44)
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2 Posted 19/02/2021 at 11:39:14
3 Posted 19/02/2021 at 11:42:37
Put him in a quality team and he'll look world class.
4 Posted 19/02/2021 at 14:10:31
Were James's expectations that Everton would be higher in the league or playing in a better climate when he signed?
I'm not sure which would be a bigger masterstroke by the club if they convinced him of either.
5 Posted 19/02/2021 at 14:13:21
6 Posted 19/02/2021 at 17:03:48
7 Posted 19/02/2021 at 17:08:15
8 Posted 19/02/2021 at 17:28:30
We are always going to struggle to attract and keep top talent without the CL football carrot. Thing is we need that talent to qualify, bollox ain't it.
9 Posted 19/02/2021 at 17:29:38
Im sure the full back behind him wont miss him either.
10 Posted 19/02/2021 at 17:43:16
His career has been one of flattering to deceive. He has undoubted ability but hes never really established himself at any of the clubs hes played.
Massive red flag for me was coming off ‘injured against Fulham. I suspect other players would have copped a lot more stick for that
11 Posted 19/02/2021 at 17:45:10
12 Posted 19/02/2021 at 17:53:34
He's a little bit like Gheorge Hagi. Great talent, but doesn't appear to have the work rate and desire to be as successful as he could be. The United game he was terrible but then scored a magnificent game changing goal. Ideally we can get enough quality pieces around him so we can overlook his deficiencies and just enjoy his sparkle
13 Posted 19/02/2021 at 17:56:17
14 Posted 19/02/2021 at 18:00:20
The thing with a player like James, is that he can make something happen in an instant - be it a cross, pass, shot, goal, whatever - he makes things happen at his own pace and is undoubtedly a very classy operator.
Yeah he can leave us a little short when we don't have the ball, but personally I'd much prefer us to be moving to sign world names, than Championship players.
James has helped raise the profile of EFC, and is part of the sea-change we need at stuffy old Everton. Top players & managers can be swayed by other top players & managers, so signing James is more than just signing a footballer.
15 Posted 19/02/2021 at 18:22:20
Why do we even have a captain when no one gets in the refs ear like other captains do?
Anyway, I wouldnt be surprised if he leaves in the summer. Its not only the kicks, weather, food, language, lack of cl etc... his girlfriend refuses to move to England so hes probably a bit lonely.
16 Posted 19/02/2021 at 18:31:25
17 Posted 19/02/2021 at 18:38:22
Im sure he was well compensated for his inconvenience.
As soon as these rumours start, you know theyre true,if you have ever wondered what agents get paid for?
this is what!
18 Posted 19/02/2021 at 18:46:45
Professional footballers soon realise if someone in the immortal words of Corporal Jones ‘dont like it up them.
Its top level sport, your weaknesses get found out quickly. I hope Im wrong about the lad as many have pointed out he can do things on a football pitch that very few can. But if you havent got the bottle its all for nowt.
19 Posted 19/02/2021 at 18:47:48
20 Posted 19/02/2021 at 18:55:40
21 Posted 19/02/2021 at 18:59:13
Its tough on him because he is so gifted, but this is the way it is over here, its the English game, it wont change. Its got to the stage now when there is fair debate about whether we are a weaker side when he starts.
If he does want to go I hope he can put some great cameos in for us before he does. Starting tomorrow.
22 Posted 19/02/2021 at 19:09:33
Hes not suited to the Premier League physically and he needs to really want it to make it here.
23 Posted 19/02/2021 at 19:30:20
24 Posted 19/02/2021 at 20:05:38
You will really see his worth then.
25 Posted 19/02/2021 at 20:12:23
26 Posted 19/02/2021 at 20:15:01
He doesnt owe us anything. Hes a world class player. We are paying him a good wage and from what I can see, hes performing for us when given the opportunity. If he decides his future would be better elsewhere then thats his prerogative.
Me. Id like him to stay. Were having a difficult little spell. Hopefully we can come through it.
Im comfortable with this.
27 Posted 19/02/2021 at 20:43:59
Hope he stays and becomes an Everton great!
28 Posted 19/02/2021 at 21:51:32
29 Posted 19/02/2021 at 22:09:37
30 Posted 19/02/2021 at 22:23:27
31 Posted 19/02/2021 at 22:24:33
Are people really that insecure that they hear a fake news story and instantly go on the defensive to suggest that James hasn't cut it in the Prem/is a “snowflake”, isn't good enough, should have known about the weather in England?
Seriously?
He's one of the best passers of the balls we've ever seen at Everton. We're a much better team when he's on the pitch and he's proven again in yet another league that he can score, assist and make killer passes even in an average team that have been struggling for the last few years.
Has he been kept quiet in some games? Yes. Have Kevin de Bruyne, Aubameyang, Kane and Vardy all also been kept quiet in some games this season too? Yes. But are they all quality players? Yes!
I think we should back our players rather than turn on them as soon as one story is published that most people on here haven't even been able to translate properly.
Let's see how he gets on for the rest of the season, shall we? To be honest, if he scores the winner tomorrow, then he's done his job for this season for me!
32 Posted 20/02/2021 at 01:21:09
33 Posted 20/02/2021 at 10:14:01
This is James Rodriguez ffs! The things that fella can do with a football at this feet defy logic. Even when he's having a bad game and getting knocked to shot by some thug like Shelvey he can pick out a pass that most of us can't see even in a slow motion replay.
34 Posted 20/02/2021 at 10:43:48
Give it time, we are talking an almost legend in his own country.
And please, don't tell me Everton had a you got in for so you can get out for nothing card in his contract.
35 Posted 20/02/2021 at 10:55:10
On a side to this just when are referees going to give protection? We seen him purposely knobbled as a tactic in almost every game, where is the Peter Reid to return the favour with interest? We need someone to give it back simples.
36 Posted 20/02/2021 at 11:01:14
Ben Godfrey.
Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war.
37 Posted 20/02/2021 at 11:08:24
38 Posted 21/02/2021 at 04:01:59
39 Posted 21/02/2021 at 09:09:10
40 Posted 21/02/2021 at 11:36:06
41 Posted 21/02/2021 at 12:19:13
On another thread I said James is a silent assassin. Dont expect him to run round like a headless chicken.
42 Posted 21/02/2021 at 12:22:20
Yesterday, seconds before the ball dropped a typical pin-ball fracas had broken out betwixt ordinary mortals.
No one, I repeat no one, would have seen what he did in that blink of an eye.
The millionths of a second that sporting geniuses use to create majesty saw him gently pull the ball out of the air, clock Richarlison on the turn and see the weakness of the static defender.
The deftness of his pass was so exquisite a still photo of it should be framed in the Walker Art Gallery.
Sure he has his faults but I cannot see them for he encapsulates the greatest attribute of a sport I have loved since a child and thought had been lost forever. He gives us "the beautiful game".
I might add and not for the first time this season
43 Posted 21/02/2021 at 12:56:42
44 Posted 21/02/2021 at 18:59:59
For years and years under Moyes we all cried about the lack of creativity, the Big Name signing, that bloke from Villareal, etc.
Now we have a genuinely great manager and a truly creative player!!
Granted, their best days (so far) have been with other clubs but they're still well ahead of anything we've had in my 31 years of going to Goodison.
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1 Posted 19/02/2021 at 11:33:15