Rafa Benitez may hand James Rodriguez his first appearance of the Premier League season when Everton host Burnley at Goodison Park on September 13, per the Liverpool Echo.
Rodriguez played no role as the Toffees opened the Spaniard’s tenure with two wins and a draw in August. Instead, the Colombian spent the month in the Merseyside wilderness as Director of Football Marcel Brands sought to offload him.
However, Everton could not overcome difficulties during their negotiations with Porto over a swap deal involving Rodriguez and Luis Diaz. He will now spend the international break at Finch Farm after returning to training, having missed the start of the term while isolating.
Benitez will monitor how Rodriguez performs with Everton’s other players not representing their countries this month, like Richarlison. The Spaniard has no intention of freezing the 80-cap maestro out of his plans after Brands failed to sell him.
Markets remain open in Russia, Turkey and Portugal, but it is very unlikely Rodriguez moves to one of those countries. The 30-year-old’s £200,000-a-week wage has blocked Everton’s attempts to move on the Carlo Ancelotti signing, despite making some concessions.
Benitez will now want to see Rodriguez produce in training to ease concerns he does not suit his desired system. The former Liverpool and Newcastle boss demands more work off the ball from his attackers, and will not indulge passengers.
If Rodriguez can show Benitez he is up to the task over the next week-and-a-half in training, he will consider him when Everton host Burnley after the international break. That is if the former Real Madrid midfielder remains at Goodison Park, with Brands still looking to sell.
Should Benitez field Rodriguez when Everton host Burnley?
Everton overcome Southampton to win Benitez’s first Premier League fixture in charge without Rodriguez on the pitch. He was again absent as they drew with Leeds and beat Brighton and Hove Albion before the international break.
The Toffees played positively to come from behind to beat the Saints, while Demarai Gray’s energy was influential at Leeds. The summer arrival again shone against Brighton, driving play from deep, and showing Rodriguez what he will need to get back in the side.
There is no doubting Rodriguez’s ability to create moments of magic, but that may not be enough for Benitez’s Everton. Instead, the player Ancelotti praised, via the Liverpool Echo, for being ‘outstanding’ must show he can also do the nitty-gritty.
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