Following the appointment of Rafa Benitez as the new Everton manager, reports of uncertainty over James Rodriguez’ future have escalated.
Sports journalist Paul Brown of the Daily Star took to Twitter to round up key updates emanating from Spanish and Colombian reports on the Toffees playmaker.
Twitter: Already talk in Colombia and Spain that James Rodriguez won’t be hanging around to work with Rafa Benitez at #efc a… https://t.co/FQfg22E25w (@pbsportswriter)
Twitter: Personally agree with this opinion piece from Colombia though… “James cannot run away every time a coach arrives… https://t.co/gqvBWDHMUb (@pbsportswriter)
Indicating that the player is increasingly unsettled at the club, Brown highlights the uneasy relationship between Rodriguez and Benitez.
The tricky feud emerged in the 2015/16 season, in which the duo endured highly publicised arguments at Real Madrid.
Brown declared that Rodriguez ‘won’t be hanging around’ and will likely seek an Everton exit as a result of the arrival of the new Toffees tactician.
Rodriguez has scored 6 goals and assisted a further 9 for Everton in 26 appearances in all competitions.
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A fractious relationship is difficult to repair, though it is likely that Carlo Ancelotti’s departure on its own was enough to give Rodriguez cold feet on Merseyside.
Prior to the official confirmation of Benitez’ appointment by the club, Rodriguez was already being linked with a move to Italian giants AC Milan.
Ancelotti’s past with Rodriguez was heavily credited as a key factor in attracting Rodriguez to Everton, as was the case for other players that Ancelotti had worked with at other clubs, such as Allan.
If that connection was responsible for creating an ‘Ancelotti effect’, then Evertonians may find themselves discussing the reversal of that – the ‘Benitez effect’.
With a big summer of recruitment ahead, expect plenty of incomings and outgoings as the club reshapes in Benitez’ image.
