Surprise speculation stemming from the Spanish media on Tuesday has pointed towards a swift return to La Liga for Everton star James Rodriguez.
James back in form
Colombian international Rodriguez of course made the move to Goodison Park last summer.
On the back of another testing season on the books of Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid, during which he struggled for game-time, the 29-year-old opted to try his hand in the Premier League for the first time.
And the months since, in turn, have proven largely positive.
Rodriguez has slotted into Everton’s midfield with ease, adding some much-needed guile to Carlo Ancelotti’s ranks.
All told, to this point, the unquestionably talented South American has racked up 5 goals and 7 assists in 18 outings across all competitions:
James Rodriguez 2020/21 stat update:
Games: 18
Goals: 5
Assists: 7
Pre-assists: 11
Idea balls: ∞ 😏Another major impact from @jamesdrodriguez. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/RM73V3x4pk
— Everton (@Everton) February 7, 2021
La Liga return?
One minor issue throughout James’ time in England thus far, though, has come in the form of his fitness.
The former Porto man has been forced to deal with a host of niggling injury problems, which left him unavailable for selection in six of Everton’s Premier League outings thus far in 2020/21.
And, as outlined above, such problems, in turn, have resulted in surprise early speculation that Rodriguez is already taking his future at Goodison Park into consideration.
The info comes courtesy of Spanish outlet Defensa Central (as cited by Sport Witness), who claim, via inside sources, that the midfielder is ‘unhappy’ with life in England.
It is suggested that he is becoming increasingly frustrated with all of the ‘weather, customs and physical football’.
Such qualms reportedly see James already eyeing up a potential return to Spain in the summer, with the 29-year-old viewing Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid – city rivals of former club Real – as an ideal landing spot.
James Rodriguez | In developments we could all have forecast, there’s a claim James Rodriguez is sick of the weather and fancies a return to Spain.
Looks like mischief making for now. https://t.co/lHnCtDlMPE #efc #coyb
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) February 16, 2021
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