Carlo Ancelotti issued a brilliant rebuttal to claims that Everton maestro James Rodriguez was unsettled at the club and was agitating for a move back to Spain.
According to Defensa Central, a combination of the physicality of the Premier League and the temperate if not outright glum English weather was causing the Colombian to feel unhappy on Merseyside.
Speaking to The Mirror in his most recent press conference, the Toffees manager addressed the multi-faceted claim:
Oh, he’s okay, he has no problem. I talk to him every day, he’s happy here. He’s confident, motivated. He had a little problem in the last few games with his calf, but now he’s in a good condition.
He really feels good here because everyone takes care of him and that’s it. I don’t know if he complains about the weather, but we know it’s not the best weather ever! But there are a lot of things good in this area.
Ancelotti enjoys a positive working relationship with Rodriguez and is a personal admirer of his talents, with that history extending to Everton.
The Colombian playmaker was a Galacticos signing at Real Madrid under Ancelotti’s watch in the Spanish capital, and his acquisition set the club back £63m in 2014.
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Ancelotti’s concurrence with the player on the English weather is certainly an amusing touch for a duo acclimatised to Mediterranean sun in two careers spanning the likes of Spain, Italy, Monaco and Portugal.
Regardless, Everton fans may sleep more soundly knowing that Rodriguez seemingly remains committed to life at the club for the foreseeable future, despite the recent rumours of discontent.
