Rodríguez has the option to return to Real Madrid this summer

Unbelievable if true that Everton would agree to this in the terms of sale last summer. He's still a £20 million player in today's market.

I'm guessing it may be part of the smoke-and-mirrors over his transfer fee... which turned out to be zero. Maybe as part of that seemingly clever bit of deal-making, they agreed to such a clause allowing him to return, for free, with seemingly him having the freedom to decide what he wanted to do in Year 2 of his Everton contract?

It would make last season as being more like a loan than a full transfer, in effect. Seems ridiculous, but it will no doubt precipitate another avalanche of teary "betrayal" claims on here if he also bails on us.

The balance between output versus wages means he's probably nowhere near a £20m player these days. Which is precisely why we were able to get him for free in the first place. With only 1 year left on his contract he'd be more along the lines of a nominal fee anyway - but free back to RM sounds plausible.

If he does leave it might allow us to spend his wages on someone with pace who could be with us for the long term. I'd rather have Neto or Bailey etc than Rodriguez.

Not a great surprise really is it? Everton continues to dumfound the football world with the terms and conditions it allows in contracts for some employees, agents must love dealing with Everton as they can get whatever they want from the club. We don't need a football manager, we need some real savvy in the boardroom. James wouldn't get into Benitez's side anyway, so no big loss.

It just shows the slow demise of Everton FC over the past 30 years. Any player or manager that has dined at the top table, even if they come to Everton has a "Get me out of Here" clause. What a pitiful pathetic outfit Everton have become, The People's Club!

Would we have signed him without this clause?

Probably not

So what have the board actually done wrong?

Last July, if we'd have found out that we turned down the chance to sign Rodriguez on a free because we wouldn't insert the clause into the contract we'd have been calling the board for being unambitious.

On second thoughts….

It's Kenwrights fault, he gave Rodriguez the Arteta money and ring fences earmarked for the kings dock.

Makes sense if true. A one year loan with no loan fee.

It was worth the gamble but it didn't work out as we came 10th and Carlo left. Relative to other deals eg Iwobi or Tosun if he does leave it doesn't come close to our worst piece of business, sadly.

A cert I would say if Carlo wants him and the player fancies it ?

Lovely player but a part -timer and not cut out for the Prem a handful of games in the sunshine is where he's at. Good luck and thanks for showing a generation what a proper footballer with mastery of a football can do.

Shame, I would have loved to see him play at Goodison. If he goes, it will be the end of a a very strange period in our history - the time we had one of the best managers of them all, and one of the best players of them all.

Unfortunately, both of them were past their sell by dates. We're like a club who has to go to the football equivalent of a food bank to survive - grateful for the leftovers, even if they've turned a bit mouldy.

Bit of a shoulder shrug on this one. He doesn't turn up often enough to be too disappointed.

Glass half full: we most likely thought both James and Carlo be wanted back was a minuscule chance.

Glass half empty: people need to commit to us or not, the second a “get out of jail” card is asked for, we should walk away from them.

We need young, hungry, committed players……and a manager that's going to play and develop them. It is that simple.

With all the chat around alleged contracts containing release clauses to UCL teams, as " I am to good for Everton, get me out of here!!!!". I suggest Ant and Dec as our management duo!!! FFS Angry.com

At this rate we had better secure those Super League payments to the pyramid "grass root" level clubs as we'll soon be down there if we've done and are doing business this way. Some might say this was clever business while others, myself included, would call it rank amateurism. It also makes me wonder what the delay appointing a manager is, or any player transfer or employee, if they can walk away any time they like.
To paraphrase Sam Goldwyn,"It ain't worth the paper it's written on".

Gary

I agree. Zidane had been openly trying to shift James for two years so the odds of a recall were slim. But now Zidane has gone and Madrid are broke so a free transfer "big name" is something Perez could pass of as a good signing. If Zidane was still around, or if Madird's cash cow of the ESL had happened then I don't think this would have arisen.

Lets face it if Rodriguez wasnt willing to put in a shift for Ancelotti he's going to roll his eyes and do stuff all when a Nuno or Benitez start issuing orders.

Shame it didnt work out, and it was amazing to see that level of talent in the jersey, but he's not the future no matter what.

In a 433 formation we got Richy, DCL and to be named... lets say Leon Bailey (l hope), then where would James fit in? In the hole in front of Allan and Doucoure? He wouldnt be such a loss if we can get a couple in. However, when he didn't play we did miss him.

Wonderful time supporting Everton. Thank you Carlo. Moshiri, you're doing a grand job. Brands... what do you do again?

David, if we could bring in Bailey, Dumfries and a ball carrying midfielder it would go a long way to fixing a lot of our issues from last season and would relegate James to the bench.

Who was negotiating contracts? No compensation for Ancelotti for the remainder of his contract and, if this is true, no compensation for Rodriguez.

I thought Everton had got to grips with contract negotiation, apparently not. Brands either is a muppet or his advice is being ignored and not followed. Brands is not his own man.

Even this manager recruitment pricess is looking like an election campaign, rather than a proper recruitment selection process. Brands's involvement looks like someone sitting on the fence and running out in front of the successful candidate.

They are starting to reflect the poor performing Everton team that we see on the pitch.

'The things that happen to people are like the people they happen to. '

Jerome - you have a good point but it's not bad negotiation, it's bad bargaining power that lands us in this situation.

Neither Ancelotti nor Rodriguez desperately wanted to come to a mid table Prem side with no trophy since 1995. We wanted them and therefore brought them in on their terms. Otherwise they would never have come at all.

Personally, I'd prefer to get people (managers and players) on an upward trajectory - people who will work hard to make the most of the step up. With this sort of person the cards are more evenly held.

I actually don't believe this to be honest. I'm pretty sure he was in his last year of Madrid contract, they clearly didn't want him so why would he agree to go back for another year on the bench? Plus, it is widely known that he has a clause that we can either extend for another 12 months after the initial 2 years or, if he plays a certain number of games, that third year is automatically triggered.

I also think that is why he played when he was injured a few times as he was getting close to the trigger point which is obviously good financial security for a 30-year-old injury-prone player.

If this is true - and who knows if it actually is - I don't see the big deal. The odds of Real Madrid wanting James back were extremely slim if anyone other than Ancelotti was managing them, and who frankly saw that scenario coming to pass?

Makes you wonder whether his return, and that of Ancelotti, was part of the plan from day one?

If he leaves we shouldn't be crying our eyes out, his wages can be used elsewhere.

I doubt he'll be crying when he leaves us, in any case he'll have time dry his eyes in private on his private jet to Madrid.

I think I'm exercising my right to be disinterested until our manager position is filled. At that time I am interested in how they approach the wandering wonderkid. I would love to see him get motivated but he simply hasn't had the right responses thus far to his challenges here.

If he was fit, and committed, and could perform consistently in the PL, we could build a team around him. As none of those things seem to be the case, it's a shame, but not a big problem.

Great. Get him out and get someone who wants to play for us.

Rubbish rumour. Perez and Rodriguez don't like each other and James has already said his time in Madrid is over.

I don't see why some people are so upset about this clause. It mean't we got a top player for just his (considerable) wages. No different to a loan, which we would have been delighted with at the time.

Great player when fit but also a bit of a luxury at times... so, given his wages and downtime, it might be better if the money were used elsewhere anyway.

Unsurprising if this does happen (clause or not) as he clearly is Ancelotti's favourite. Had Carlo not left then I'm sure this “clause” would never be heard of.

I would love him to stay as he has given us some magic moments last season and could help us attract other big-name stars. Done wonders for our profile globally over the last 12 months due to his social media followers and hero status in Colombia. Not that I for one minute think the Everton commercial team have exploited that opp!

(Oh and having 3 boys with 'James' on their Everton shirts means, if he does go, I've got to replace them all! Aaaaagggggghhhhh!!!)

Forget James - he'll keep draining our funds until the World Cup and then retire. We'd be lucky to get 6 games out of him next season.

Far more worried about Carlo poaching both Digne and Richarlison to be honest.

Scenario 1: we signed James for £15-20M; he plays 20-25 games, is injured (fatigued??) for many games. He isn't fully committed now Carlo has gone and we sell him at a huge loss!

Scenario 2: signed James for no fee, found out he can't string 4 games in a row together, have option of him leaving and freeing up wages for a reliable player!

I know which scenario I'd prefer!

We took a gamble. It only half-worked! At least we're not stuck with a sick note we can't shift.

I'm with scenario 2 also Winston 👍

Winston. Good post. Makes sense.

I'll take door number two too. (I was going to drop a Monty Hall reference after Bob Barker making an appearance here. On that side of the pond did you get some kind of shopper game show that took over popular culture for a while?)

Re John #33 worrying Carlo could come back for Richarlison, would that give us a chance to bring Kean back into the team? Given the way Carlo used to talk Richarlison up it could bring £50m+ into the club to spend on midfield (if Madrid can find any money!!)

Some of James' quality moments have been amongst the few positives this season, but we cannot build the team around him. If he was fit enough to play 90 minutes for every 4 out of 5 games, then I'd be gutted to see him go… but if he wants to leave, I'd happily help him pack.

I'm going to go with an option 3.

James comes back for preseason, gets totally fit, and now with Premier League experience starts the new season completely reborn setting up two and scoring from the half way line against Southampton in the first game of the season, chest puffed out rotating in the centre circle to a packed out Goodison James roars nil satis nisi fucking optimum mother fuckers!!! The crowd go wild.

So the rumour is a total fabrication. I found the article in question. The journalist mentioned above wasn't even involved in the interview, two others were, and it mainly focused on James's exclusion from the Colombia squad for the Copa America. He says he is honouring his contract at Everton and he is finished with Madrid.

https://co.marca.com/claro/futbol/colombianos-mundo/2021/06/13/60c53e62ca4741eb128b4663.html

A huge pity for Everton fans that didn't get the chance to see him play in the flesh. Great technical ability and put more effort in than he's given credit for.

But he's slow, has no one at Everton near his wave length and as such is targeted for some rough treatment by opposition players. I can't blame them really.

A spark of genius with him but perhaps a greater fire of desire without him.

Any chance Carlo will allow a swap for Hazard or Benzama? Please Carlo, you owe us one.

Load of cobblers. The Colombian media seem a pretty wide-eyed bunch and Rodriguez is basically their Beckham, so nonsensical stories are inevitable.

I'm surprised so many on here are assuming this is 100% correct. Why wouldn't we just loan him for 12 months, which would be the final year of his Madrid contract, rather than this convoluted deal?

Also, James himself ruled out returning to Real mere days ago. I'd prefer to take his word for it, rather than some random journo who I doubt any of us have ever heard of.

Finally, people now saying he wouldn't get in Benitez's team. Based on what? He's our most creative player by a mile. Who are we signing to displace him exactly? We sign Bailey or Neto (estimated value: £70m!) then who are we expecting to get the ball to them? And if Rodriguez isn't good enough (lol) to get into our team, then why would Madrid want him?

Baffling cockeyed reasoning.

Great to of seen him in Blue, but if he moves back it would be understandable. He was basically a Carlo signing and he would accommodate him no matter what.
Another coach would probably have a more reliable option in terms of fitness.

He was a joy to watch when fit, but ultimately Siggy had comparable stats!

Gave the club a great PR opportunity too. His leaving won't be discussed as a sign of decline of Everton, just a player following his coach to the biggest, shiniest opportunity in world football.

I understand this is just a story, but I believe there is merit in it because:

1 - it was an unusual transfer in the first place. Many different versions from free signing, verbal agreement, large signing on fee, simple loan, we only pay part of his salary etc.

2 - it may well suit Brands not to have him on the books, not a Brands signing, reduce wage costs.

3 - Carlo and James have an understanding or agreement should they want to leave Everton. Carlo took up his option.

Great player, but not necessarily a great loss. I'd love him to stay but that's would require a new manager to know how to get the best out of him. Hopefully it works out for the best in Evertons interest.

Kevin, no.42 - I used to think ruling yourself out of a return to Madrid meant something...

David Pearl @ 18; Spot on. If he could do it on a more regular basis he would not have come to us...and that more or less goes for Ancelotti and Benitez too.

All 3...and probably a few more of the candidates...yesterdays men.

I think EFC club will miss him more than the team if he goes as he's a commercial gold mine for our club. I'm betting his salary was easily covered in the tv coverage, shirt sales and any other financial benefits he brought with him. I'm hoping he stays with the right players around him he's an asset to us. We can carry a half fit, tortoise paced world class player when we have 10 other quality players around him. What we can't have is him and a few other non performing players in the team at the same time

#44 Jim: you're referring to goals/assists and that's true but underlying metrics are hugely in favour of Rodriguez, compared to Sigurdsson. In terms of open-play chances created per 90 and progressing the ball up the field he was massively in front of all our players. Sigurdsson lags behind the likes of Iwobi and Bernard!

#45 Justin :

1. we signed a "superstar" player, all those rumours and stories mean Jack. What do we know, or can surmise is that James had a year left on his deal and was not going to play under Zidane. Real had been trying to move him on for 3 years. Major teams were likely not interested. The only "B"- level team that Rodriguez would entertain was us, on the back of our manager being favoured by him. Madrid want rid, so a free transfer is arranged to get a disgruntled player on big wages moved out. Do they want him back? Other than them appointing Carlo, there's nothing to suggest this at all.

2. Rodriguez is on slightly more wages than Bernard and Delph. If Brands if fretting about wages then I'd be focusing more on them, than him!

3. Complete supposition.

4. The myth is that Carlo is some sort of James-whisperer. He had maybe his best season under Ancelotti, 2014-15. He played only a handful of games under CA at Bayern and played very well under his replacement. He looked great the first phase of last season for us, but Carlo's retreat into a deep-sitting defensive shell lessened his impact.

#46 Dan: You're referring to Carlo obviously, but when did he do this? The only thing I've read is he had mentioned he had "unfinished business" at Madrid (possibly referring to the fact he didn't win La Liga when there) and that was prior to us appointing him.

Regarding comments about how he's slow (true) and how we need pace (also true), what we actually need is a balanced team and this includes athletes and footballers. I watched a fair few Sevilla games 2 years ago and Ever Benega was crucial to their play and ran games for them. He was slower and less mobile then Rodriguez. What they had were fast and hard-working players around him. We had little of this so it was very easy for teams to stifle our only creative outlet, especially when we started sitting 10 yards deeper.

John @ 33, Madrid have just signed David Alaba so hopefully Lucas Digne is safe for now.

Richarlison is a different story though. If they are as short on cash as many seem to think then he might be sort of player they need to look at if the Mbappe's of this world are out of their reach right now.

Andrew #32 - probably easier in the long run just to change all your boys' names to James.

I'd be happy for sicknote Rodriguez to leave. I wish he would take other sicknote with him, Delph.

Let's get some young energetic midfielders who can move the ball forward quickly. I wouldn't be surprised for Richarlison to request a transfer once he comes back!!!

I think one thing history has taught us in football is that if a player or manager is on record as saying one thing, for example that they have no plans to leave, or would never join x club, one cannot take that at face value. Indeed one might be more accurate if one assumes the opposite of what is said.So, just because James says he is finished with Real, does not mean he won't be there in a few weeks.

People are adept nowadays at self justification and re-configuring what they actually meant – see Benitez recent attempts to square the circle with his past quotes, now he realises there is a very convenient, cosy job in the offing.

I'd be sad to see James go, not because he is vital to the team- he isn't- but because there has been some novelty value in seeing an outrageously gifted footballer in a blue shirt, even one as dynamic as a snail.

Mark #53,

James didn't even actually go as far as saying he was finished with Madrid. He simply, replying to a question he was asked, stated that, even with Carlo at the helm, he thought the possibilty of a return to Madrid for himself was very unlikely.

Ian, 51
I thought that too. James, Hamez and Jimmy

Fair enough, 'very unlikely'. He's smart enough to even give himself the wiggle room needed.

Me, I wouldn't be placing the very short odds bet implied by his comment, on him not leaving. Quite the opposite.

Not too bothered, now if he comes knocking for Allan or Doucoure, then that's a different matter.

So its a free transfer from the treatment board at finch farm to an equivalent facility at Madrid!?

Cheers Ian #51 and David #55, that's the sort of out of the box thinking I needed.

James, James Jnr, and James jnr jnr!!

Either of you free at the moment as there's a job going that could do with some fresh ideas

No surprise if he leaves for Real, but he's been good to watch whilst here. Football is all about entertainment, and he's provided some memorable moments, despite his injury issues. In fact, the entire team has provided some memorable moments in terms of some high quality goals scored via lovely one-touch football at the start of last season, Rodriguez being part of that, and despite the disappointing dullness of the rest of the football we've played. The players have shown what they CAN do, but have also shown that they can't do it consistently.

The ease with which Rodriguez split open the Liverpool defence at Anfield, for Richarlison to score, was a sweet example. All my red mates were silenced.

For me, Rodriguez is the best ball player, with the best football brain, in an Everton shirt since Colin Harvey, and that in itself is memorable.

Brilliant or not, if he wants to go to Real Madrid, then he should go. Frankly, I think he cannot fit into the Everton rebuild scenario. Much as I like the class he has shown from time to time with us.

IMO we need a team that is built on heart-felt commitment and desire to win. So we will need to ditch a number of the current squad.

Don't see the problem. We got him for free and he goes back for free. He won't get into the team next season regardless of who is manager because he is a luxury player and we are not yet good enough to carry a luxury player.

Nice to see how good he was in flashes but he is finished as a top tier player. In truth, he hasn't done all that much since his World Cup!

Evertonian from London since 1992. I'll try and keep it short but I'll say what I think.

We have a joke set of fans who'd don't understand football. Most of you I refer to... School of Science? Bullshit! Our club prefers the Dogs of War from the Joe royle days, and is a victim of having a manager like David Moyes for as long as he had with us.

Yes, he did a great job, but the likes of Moyes has a ceiling and it's always in the main backs-to-the-wall footy that is appreciated at my club, as was conditioned to by the fans of Moyes.

Stones, Lukaku, Deulofeu, are the type of players who will be hounded out by the fanbase, but Denis Stracqualursi will be applauded! I understand about playing for the shot, but still...

All you lot wanting Duncan Ferguson as manager? I mean, he'd have us relegated within a season. Pumping-your-fists footy would only last for a few games.

We have such ambitious owners, who yes may be getting it wrong at the moment, but will keep trying.

Benitez is obviously a proven manager who actually is turning his back on the fact he's a Liverpool legend by wanting to manage us. It's actually 2 fingers up to them lot but you precious lot want to ditch him and have who? Nuno? Duncan Ferguson? LOL! I don't care what the reaction is to my post but, my fellow Evertonians, everyone in London sees Everton as a club that are getting it wrong, but are so evidently ambitious. Ancelotti to Benitez is a better step than going to bankroll Duncan. Duncan always only played the big games as a player.... always injured. Gary Naismith said on Duncs DVD that he actually said he can't get himself up for the Mickey Mouse games as in Crystal Palace etc. And now he's bankrupt and needs a job, typically Everton come to the rescue for our players and it's all based on emotion and not merit

I've had a load of Jack Daniels & Cokes as I type but I'm disgusted with us, how we are hounding out Rafa before he has started. Called us a small club... what the fuck? Oh please.... Get over yourselves. Don't cut your nose off to spite your face, as they say. And now youu want to drive out the money men, so we have Blue Bill in charge with his piggy bank containing a few coppers to attract Steve Bruce – then you lot will be happy.

Good night.

Farhad

Stop using a fake surname. We know you suck at appointing managers. Maybe stay off the drink and leave it to Brands.

ps: Give my regards to Alisher.

I like Paul Avery's option 3. Classic Paul. Get's rid of so much negativity!!

Paul @ 40, I vote for your option too! Sicknote? The guy played 26 games for us last season and always gave full effort. I guess having such a talented player in the squad makes us uncomfortable.

Why is anyone asking who could have foreseen Real coming back for Carlo and James when quite obviously there was at least whoever insisted on the clause being in the contract?

Anyone with any negotiating ability would have asked for either compensation if the clause was triggered or that it could only be triggered after so many full seasons. But I suppose if you're a gambling man...

Well, Carlo is “rumoured” to be interested in James and Calvert-Lewin (£60M min). He can have both of them... only if he agrees to take Iwobi as well for the £30M we wasted on him.

Farhad.

You may have been bladdered but you sound like a 6-year-old.

Rafa is a spent force.

I hope he stays. He's the most naturally gifted player we've had in many years, decades I'd say.

Doesn't play every game? Who does? On that judgement, a player who never played every game every season either through injury or suspension is revered as a legend. But on this basis he too was surely a sick note? But I get it, he's an Evertonian so we airbrush that part of the legend story.

Paul #40, cheers mate! I can't wait for the first game now, bring it on UTFT

No doubting his talent and I don't care about Everton losing on the deal. They have lost a lot of money on other players they still have and can't seem to let go even though they don't perform consistently.

Any new manager has to be able to get the best out of his players most games but Carlo couldn't do that.

Here's hoping that a new guy can do better with this lot!

Farhad (63) Disgusting words. Joke set of fans eh. We don't want to hear from you if this is all you can provide.

In my view having no supporters was particularly damaging to our club. James would have been a hero and energised by the crowd. When the luxury player is confident and adored, confidence flows through the team and even to the coach.

Leaving aside Jordan Pickford, who, as a goalkeeper, is a sort of marginal team member, Rodriguez was the only player in the Everton line-up last year who was in any way approaching world class, you know, the sort of player we want in at least half a dozen positions.

Ancelotti did a decent job converting DC-L into a 6-yard specialist, but then all the other teams worked that out and played to stop any delivery and part 2 of the season was pretty much DC-L goal free. If Calvert-Lewin isn't looking to move to Madrid (or at least Manchester) then I'd be amazed.

Richarlison had a mediocre season, and seemed to have lost any awareness of other players. As for the rest, "championship at best" sums it up. If the performances against Sheffield U, Burnley, Fulham and Newcastle were all that a world-class manager could get out of them, the disappearance of Rodriguez, Calvert-Lewin, and probably Richarlison and Godfrey should leave Everton comfortably in the relegation battle this year, no doubt with a civil war going on about whichever manager is selected, whether an ex-RS has-been, or another whose main CV experience has been "getting relegated".

Still, at least watching England the other night reminded me of what it's like to watch Everton - a test of faith rather than reason. (Not that I regard a team where Kane plays before DCL or Vardy, or Rashford before Grealish or Bellingham, or the entire set of dross that was England's midfield before Lingard with any affection or loyalty.)

Pure class, by far and away better footballer than anyone we have.
Maybe we can get Niassie back to replace him?

Grim days ahead for our beloved club

Stan (60) I agree with your assessment of Rodriguez as the best ball playing midfielder we have had in 50 years.

However, the lad doesnt want to be here now Carlo has gone so we may as well let him go.

Sad times and the people on here calling Ancelotti the Italian Sam Allardyce will soon see the pull that the guy had to attract quality players to Everton. Pity he didnt stay to add to the list.