‘Do you know?’: Carlo Ancelotti makes startling claim about Everton 29-year-old

Follow us on Google Discover

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has raved about James Rodriguez, as quoted in Goal.com.

Ancelotti has been pleased by how James has played for the Toffees so far this season and the impact he has already made at the club.

The former Real Madrid and AC Milan boss has outlined how concerns over the Colombia international attacking midfielder’s physical attributes were wrong, and has pointed out a rather startling stat.

Goal.com quotes Ancelotti as saying about James to the France Football magazine (print version): “When I signed James this summer, everyone was worried about his physical state and to see how he’d cope with the intensity of the Premier League.

“During the first four games, do you know how many times he sprinted? Seven! He’s got more assists and goals than he did sprints. So what are we talking about? Of what we expect a player to do on the pitch?

“When I was at Milan, we brought in Ronaldo. On his arrival, he weighed 100kg. Before the first game, I told him: ‘You know I can’t play you. You need to lose weight’. He replied ‘What do you want me to do on the pitch? Score or run? If it’s to run, put me on the bench, if it’s to score, play me!’. I played him. He didn’t run, but he scored two goals. For James, it’s the same thing.”

Making an immediate impact

James, who can also operate as a winger, joined Everton from Spanish and European giants Madrid in the summer transfer window.

The 29-year-old has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and has been superb for the Merseyside club.

According to WhoScored, the former FC Porto and AS Monaco star has scored three goals and provided three assists in six league matches for the Toffees.

Top-four challenge

Recent results of Everton have been disappointing, but all teams go through spells when they fail to win matches.

Ancelotti’s side are fourth in the league table at the moment with 13 points from seven matches.

Although Everton are just three points behind leaders and Merseyside rivals Liverpool, they are unlikely to challenge for the title, but they are certainly in the race for the top four.