Michael Ball has voiced concern in his column for the Liverpool Echo that Rafa Benitez may overlook James Rodriguez due to the Everton midfielder lacking a hardworking attitude.
The former Toffees defender was delighted to see Rodriguez remain at Goodison Park past the summer transfer window. Reports frequently linked the Colombian playmaker with a move away from Merseyside following Carlo Ancelotti walking to re-join Real Madrid.
Everton even sought to include Rodriguez in a swap-deal to sign Porto winger Luis Diaz, but he baulked at the sizable reduction on his £200k-a-week contract to leave, per The Athletic. His stance also blocked a move to AC Milan, and now has an uncertain future at Goodison.
Rodriguez is yet to feature under Benitez, but Ball hopes chances will come at Everton.
“I was absolutely delighted to see James Rodriguez remain at the club following plenty of speculation he would depart this summer,” Ball wrote. “Although there is no doubt that the way Rafa Benitez sets up doesn’t really suit him, I feel he has the quality to make a real difference to this Everton side.
“In a close game, he has the eye and the quality to possibly win us the game. You only have to look at last season and some of the moments of magic he produced. The pass in the [Merseyside] derby for Richarlison’s goal as a prime example.
“While we know he is not the most hardworking of players and can often need carrying through games, you simply can’t argue with his stats last season. I just truly hope there is a way Rafa can find a place for him in the team. Although I have my doubts the Everton boss might actually do so.”
Should Benitez blend Rodriguez into his Everton plans, like Ball hopes?
Benitez will not ease his stance of players working hard on and off the ball to accommodate Rodriguez at Everton, like Ball seeming hopes. The Spaniard can also use Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend’s promising starts to show the Colombian exactly what he demands.
If Rodriguez is willing to put the greater good above waiting to create moments of magic, game time will follow. The Liverpool Echo report Benitez will not freeze him out if the 30-year-old shows the right attitude to merit minutes.
It is up to Rodriguez if he wants to fight and be the player Ball admires for Everton under Benitez. The keys to his Goodison Park role – and potential future – are in his hand. He just has to show he deserves it off the pitch, and maintain it once on the Goodison grass again.
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