Zinedine Zidane has spoken out in support of reported Everton and Arsenal target James Rodriguez after he was dropped yet again by the Real Madrid boss this weekend, as reported by AS.
If this Galactico-turned-£63 million benchwarmer is fighting for his future at the Santiago Bernabau, then he certainly isn’t doing himself any favours at the moment.
James has featured in just one of Real’s last 26, yes 26, La Liga matches.
And it’s fair to say that the Colombian superstar didn’t exactly do himself much justice in that most rare of outings against Real Sociedad in June.
It was a performance which summed up James’ entire season – peripheral, ineffective and lacking any sort of intensity or inspiration.
As a result, the former Bayern Munich loanee has not been included in the matchday squad for each of Real Madrid’s last two fixtures.
In fact, Zidane only called up 22 out of a possible 23 players for Friday’s clash with Alaves, leaving a space completely empty rather than hand James a place on the bench.
“He is important, and he is ours,” Zidane says in comments that will convince absolutely no one.
“He is 29 years old and I congratulate him. It is true some play more and others less, but I will not look down on any player.
“Everyone brings something to the team. I can count on all of those I have.”
Marca reported earlier this month that Real will accept a vastly reduced £18 million fee for the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner, who has admirers at Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Everton have also been linked and, speaking to the Guardian last week, former Bernabau boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted that he remains a huge fan of an old-school number ten who seems to have been left behind in the modern game.
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