Rafa Benítez conditions to have James in Everton: commitment and full physique | Colombians Abroad

The market, which had to solve all the internal problems in Everton, was leaving one very open: the future of James Rodríguez.

What if it was Porto in exchange for Luis Díaz, what if AC Milan would cheer up, what if … nothing. There are still those who expect something for Turkey or Portugal itself, but it must be said: nobody pays a salary of 11 million euros a year just like that. That is why he rejected the offers and that is why they are already in Liverpool getting used to the idea of ​​having him one more year.

And no, it’s not a bad idea at all. Benítez is still looking for another winger, which was not Díaz and neither will it be Dwight McNeil (Burnley). Now he has to look at his locker room to discover that James is there, healthy and fit after a 10-day period of isolation for suspected covid (he did not test positive) and training hard since the end of last week.

“Benítez is pragmatic and will not turn his back on Rodríguez but, of course, he would prefer there to be a way out,” said the Liverpool Echo newspaper.

Won’t you turn your back? How much of that is to the vote of confidence? Everything, as always, is in the player’s hands: “if the Colombian is producing what he should in training and applying Benítez’s methods, as the coach wants, then he will consider it,” says the source.

“Benítez recognizes Rodríguez’s talent but demands more from his attackers, especially without the ball, and he is not willing to please the Colombian in the same way that Carlo Ancelotti was willing to. Rodríguez is a much loved member of the team … Benítez He will reassure him that if he performs as required in training at Finch Farm, then he will be under consideration for Burnley’s visit on September 13, “adds the Liverpool daily, which follows daily news from Everton.

But how likely is it that there will actually be a change in the DT’s mind? “From the first two months of his (Benitez) reign, there are doubts that James will suddenly change his approach to the game to fit the coach’s thinking. Everton is expected to still see if they can find another team for Rodriguez sooner. to close all the windows, “concluded the media.

Summary: James stays, it’s unlikely someone will come for him and he will most likely trade as a free agent in January. It is up to him that these four months are not at home, in front of Twitch, away from the Colombian National Team, but on the field, enjoying the fans of Goodison Park, which he still does not know and scoring points with Rueda. It is up to him which story will be told.