2020/21 James Rodriguez

[APN_EFC]

Are they hiding a bad injury or something? Very baffling how two games turns into four, then no date given for a return, with no mention of actually what's up as if it's something that needs to be kept under wraps.

I think we've been so lucky to have had these four tough games in a row that are actually better to be more solid at the back and without a luxury playmaker on the wing - but can't wait to see him back!

We dont' want to rush people back, but is this more evidence of the difficulty we have with our medical / physio team? It seems like we are more injury prone but also not that great at rehabilitation? Can we have so much bad luck for so long?

I watched a bit of that All or Nothing a few years ago, and of course this is a different scale / budget they have but i remember seeing personalised vitamin / protein powder blends for each player, and a personal fitness, rehab plan after each game. Its not that costly to have that for us surely? I just feel like one of the things holding us back - based on no evidence (!) - is that we might be old fashioned behind the scenes in our game prep, fitness, diet etc, and maybe it negates the impact new players & managers can have on us.

Of course, we might only be close now as we have this cocktail of James, Ancelotti, money & momentum

 

[Shibbywiggles]

Big shame to not have him for a big cup match but luckily the team’s been performing really well but then United have really stepped up too since we last played them.
I think we’ll need his ‘door unlocking’ talents more against Sheffield United who will be hard to break down whereas this quarter final should be more stretched and more of a counter attack kinda game I reckon.

 

[Frenk]

What the heck is wrong with him? Sounds like the worst slight injury ever.

 

[Mitch Ward's Minder]

Tbf I’ve had a slight calf problem now for 2months so can empathise with the unknown of when it’ll be sound. We’ve gone through too many seasons where we’ve rushed players back only for them to be out longer on a recurring injury. Get him fully fit and injury free before bringing back and we’ll see the best of him again

 

[samcdavies94]

To be fair, this could be a ten day injury (dare I say illness) but because of the packed schedule atm he's missing four games.

 

[tommytowne]

Too cold outside for the lad?

 

[Shibbywiggles]

Too cold outside for the lad?

Madrid and Munich aren’t exactly tropical mate.
Hate this fair weather player nonsense with our South American’s, total myth.

 

[tommytowne]

Madrid and Munich aren’t exactly tropical mate.
Hate this fair weather player nonsense with our South American’s, total myth.

I posted that hopefully to incite a response such as yours.
Yes, Munich is a tad cooler than L4 this time of year.

 

[DanB90]

What injury has he actually got?

Sounds like a case of ChristmasintheMaldivesitus

 

[BarryThompson1]

Xmas skiver ha ha .

 

[alphabet]

seems to me that the rehab facilities at this club are on some balkans league level.

 

[paulbefc]

This is why he was free.

We could really have done with him being back for this to save Iwobi a few minutes as we've been flogging him a bit lately. There's no option but for him to play another two 90s in 4 days now. We can't complain if he and Doucoure tire considerably at some point. I'm sure there'll be more injuries as well. We've just got to hope they're not to any of Richarlison, Godfrey, DCL or Doucoure, before Digne and Allan are back in Feb or our results are going to really suffer.

If Doucoure gets booked at Sheffield United, the City game's a write-off. It'll be Davies, Sigurdsson and Gomes in midfield. And that's if none of those get injured before then.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Could be more to this, seemed a fairly small injury, hope it's nothing more.

 

[Saint Domingo]

He was grocked by van Dijk. That's the reality. And he hasn't recovered from that yet.

Ancelotti was diplomatic about it, but if the Pickford incident hadn't occurred, I imagine he would have let his emotion surface just a little more.

As it was, it wasn't even recognised for what it was and swept away in the midst of the life-threatening injuries suffered by Van Dijk.

Better he stays out and returns fit and ready, we have form for rushing players back when they were not right.

This. We went from having the best player in the prem for the first four games to a player who hasn’t been able to get himself fully fit since. Look what he was able to do against Fulham even at half pace. That big carthorse Van Dijk crocked him and I’m glad Pickford ended his season for it.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Are they hiding a bad injury or something? Very baffling how two games turns into four, then no date given for a return, with no mention of actually what's up as if it's something that needs to be kept under wraps.

I think we've been so lucky to have had these four tough games in a row that are actually better to be more solid at the back and without a luxury playmaker on the wing - but can't wait to see him back!

Except they've said like 10 times it is a calf strain