Who are Everton playing? I’ve no idea, admits Rodriguez
Appears keen on move away from Merseyside hbenitez says all options still open during transfer window
James Rodriguez has admitted he does not even know who Everton are playing today, casting more doubt over his future at the club as the transfer window enters its final 10 days.
The Colombian, signed amid much fanfare a year ago, made the startling revelation during a social media chat on Thursday evening, announcing he “thinks” he will return to the club’s USM Finch Farm training centre next week.
The 30-year-old missed the start of the season because he was selfisolating, having been in close contact with someone with Covid-19, but there is nothing to suggest he has a future at the club beyond the end of the month.
New manager Rafael Benitez is pushing on with a rebuild, naturally focused on players who are 100 per cent committed to the club.
Rodriguez’s lack of awareness of the immediate fixture list hardly bodes well for his prospects of reestablishing a starting place, nor does it send a message to the Everton fan base that he is itching for a Goodison Park comeback.
“I will start training on Monday, I think,” Rodriguez said on the Twitch social media platform. “On the weekend I will not play, I don’t even know who Everton is playing, can you please tell me?
“I think it is away because the past was here at home. Ah, against Leeds they play, away from home, against [Marcelo] Bielsa, a difficult game, let’s see what happens, hopefully they win.”
Rodriguez made an encouraging start to his Goodison career when reunited with former coach Carlo Ancelotti last season. But his contribution faded as injuries took their toll, and now his salary looks like a drain on the club’s resources as Benitez attempts to restructure the side.
Ancelotti’s shock exit led to immediate speculation that Rodriguez would look to move on, as it was his relationship with the Italian that led him to Merseyside.
Rodriguez has been linked with several clubs over the past few weeks, including AC Milan and Atletico Madrid. His representatives obviously have permission to discuss potential deals with interested clubs.
“I have faith that this season will be good for me, big things are coming for me,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know where I’ll play; I’ll be where things go well.”
Asked yesterday about Rodriguez’s future, Benitez was noncommittal on the long term, reiterating that all options are open over the coming weeks.
“Until 31st of August, yes he’s in my plans,” Benitez said. “Obviously I can understand that people want to know everything.
“The situation at the moment is
that he’s our player until 31st of August.
“You know that we have until the end of August, until the last day and last minute, a lot of speculation. We have to keep working with the players that are here and available.
“Hopefully he will be fine for next week and he can carry on with training sessions, and we can see what happens until the end of the transfer window.”
Everton, meanwhile, have added
another former Liverpool employee to their ranks by signing Andy Lonergan.
The veteran goalkeeper spent a year at Anfield during the 2019-20 campaign as a back-up to Alisson Becker and Adrian. He did not play a competitive first-team game.
Lonergan spent time at Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion last season. Now the 37-year-old will be the third choice at Goodison Park for this campaign.