CARLO: HAPPY JAMES TO STAY
CARLO ANCELOTTI has insisted that James Rodriguez is happy at Everton.
The Goodison boss will once again be without his superstar Colombian when the Blues travel to top-four contenders West Ham with their own hope of European qualification hanging by a thread. Rodriguez, 29, has suffered a succession of injury niggles since arriving from Real Madrid last year.
Ancelotti said: “James Rodriguez chose this club because he was excited about the project – and I think he is still excited about the project. He has played one year here. I think he is happy and he is comfortable here. He has had some problems, of course, but this doesn’t affect the desire he has to stay here and to play for Everton for the future.”
Everton’s quest for Europe has been undermined by their miserable home form, losing eight times at Goodison.
And Ancelotti promised that there will be investment in the transfer market this summer, despite loses suffered during the global pandemic.
Everton have already been linked to a £35million move for former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who has flopped at Barcelona following his £142m departure from Anfield. But Ancelotti has warned that famous names do not always fit the profile he wants.
He said: “The target is not to have big names here. The target is to have good players who are necessary to improve the quality and the strength of the squad.
“We didn’t just sign James Rodriguez last year. We also signed Ben Godfrey, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure. It doesn’t matter if they are a big name or not.
“We want to sign players who will improve us. I don’t believe qualifying for
Europe will make a difference. Of course, it would be a step forward for everyone – for me, for the players who are already here and any new players.
“But what we are thinking doesn’t alter if we are in Europe or not.
“The idea of the project is to improve and to be more competitive next season.
“The Premier League is the most difficult and competitive in the world.
“To qualify for Europe through the Premier League is not easy because there are fantastic teams here who are already fighting for the Champions League and Europa League.”