The South American playmaker has been overlooked by club and country of late, with two managers needing to be convinced of his worth
James Rodriguez is currently out of favour with club and country, with the Everton playmaker being warned by Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda that he is going to need to reach “500%” in order to be drafted back into his plans.
That could be a struggle for the South American as he remains on the fringes of Rafa Benitez’s plans at Goodison Park, with no competitive minutes taken in for the Toffees this season.
Niggling knocks have been frustrating James, leading to him being left out by Colombia, and Rueda – who saw a war of words sparked when the 30-year-old was removed from Copa America plans over the summer – says “100% is not enough” to earn favour again.
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What has been said?
Rueda has told reporters of James’ situation: “It is not only the healing of an injury but also the readaptation of the competition.
“I think it’s very clear, we can’t hurt James, nor the national team, when we have seen him at his best, we want him, when he is 500% because 100% is not enough for the national team.
“We always tell the players that they must be at 500%, that is what is required to be in the Colombia national team.
“We want the players to take care of themselves in all possible variables. That 500% involves a number of factors and variables.”
Will James see game time at Everton?
James completed a move to Everton in the summer of 2020 as he reunited with former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti on Merseyside
Questions were asked of his suitability to English football throughout a testing debut campaign, and a supportive coach has now moved on back to Santiago Bernabeu.
A move elsewhere was mooted during the summer transfer window, as Benitez remained coy on his plans, but no deal was done and James remains with the Toffees.
Rueda says minutes are going to be required in order for him to consider selecting a national icon, with it clear that the current situation needs to change for all concerned.
“Everything is going to happen because of what his current situation is,” Rueda added.
“To the extent that James can play, have a better current situation, that is good for us, for Everton, for him and for the national team.
“You want players to play regularly, to have that continuity, that rhythm for the competition.”
