2020/21 James Rodriguez

[Tel001]

Reminds me a lot of Michael Laudrup

Now he was a player ... never makes it into the same conversation as the greats but he really was one of the best I have seen... stoichkov ( spelling) was another

 

[Sassy Colombian]

I'm 48, old enough to be James's Dad (sheesh), but we've long been told that Evertonians know

Ooh.

At my age of almost 45, I really don't appreciate that statement

 

[Vaughan]

They did. There were serious questions about whether James ran around enough to warrant coming back into the team in Siggurdson’s spot. Claims that 4 in a row without him backed it up.

Probably the same people who genuinely thought he had December as a holiday

 

[Saint Domingo]

If we can get him back to the level he was in the first 5 games of the season, and keep him at that level, there’s no saying how far we could go. He can win games by himself with one miracle ball even when nothing looks on.

Can’t get over Iwobi running beyond him and then getting on the end of the move a few passes later, where did that drive come from.

 

[AndyGray]

Now he was a player ... never makes it into the same conversation as the greats but he really was one of the best I have seen... stoichkov ( spelling) was another

Couldn't agree more - both very underrated. For a season Stoichkov seemed to be able to cut in from the left and score at will. Raw power and great technique

 

[Drico]

“Are Everton a better team without James?”

No.

That was an incredible question some were implicitly positing - even if they couched it behind words like "workrate" and "balance". It was mind-boggling to see some bring it up as if they were courageous sage-like whistelblowers in a forum of groupthinkers.

A player of this elite level demands inclusion - it's simply an obligation of the coach to find a place for him and maximise his abilities. If that means some of the popular yard dogs get punted, so be it. Everton once stood for classy football. Now we have a genuine, bona-fide classic footballer, it really behoves us to build around him and make him - not gutsy mediocrities like Seamus Coleman - the ideal at this club.

It's quite simple: if Everton cannot make a success of having a player like James Rodriguez in the team, then we should accept that we aspire to be little more than an ersatz Wimbledon Crazy Gang with history.

We are Everton and players of the ilk of James Rodriguez adorn our team sheet and, whisper it, make us worth watching.

 

[Drico]

Couldn't agree more - both very underrated. For a season Stoichkov seemed to be able to cut in from the left and score at will. Raw power and great technique

They are acknowledged greats among those who actually follow European football in any detail. Magnificent players, two of the greatest 150 that ever played.

But when Sky Sports and the tabloids only recognise Pele, Cruff, Maradona, George Best...and Gazza (!), or anyone connected to 1966, you'll be holding your breath before they eulogise legendary Ballon d'Or winners like Stoichkov, Baggio, Rossi, Rummenigge, Müller, or Nedved, let alone wonderful stars who never won it, like Laudrup. It's as if you had to have played in England or in 1966 to be recognised by those august organs of the media.

Everyone who knows and loves football remembers and loves Laudrup and Stoichkov.

 

[jazzy]

That was an incredible question some were implicitly positing - even if they couched it behind words like "workrate" and "balance". It was mind-boggling to see some bring it up as if they were courageous sage-like whistelblowers in a forum of groupthinkers.

A player of this elite level demands inclusion - it's simply an obligation of the coach to find a place for him and maximise his abilities. If that means some of the popular yard dogs get punted, so be it. Everton once stood for classy football. Now we have a genuine, bona-fide classic footballer, it really behoves us to build around him and make him - not gutsy mediocrities like Seamus Coleman - the ideal at this club.

It's quite simple: if Everton cannot make a success of having a player like James Rodriguez in the team, then we should accept that we aspire to be little more than an ersatz Wimbledon Crazy Gang with history.

We are Everton and players of the ilk of James Rodriguez adorn our team sheet and, whisper it, make us worth watching.

Excellent post - the penultimate paragraph really sums up the James / Everton situation.

 

[Dario Terracotta]

Encapsulates "the beautiful game"for me,yes he may well only be involved half a dozen occasions in a game,but he will create two or three cameos which will lead to goals or at least a situation where a goal should occur,some of his "slide rule" passes are just works of art and are a joy to behold.

 

[Efcjake]

I just love watching a player demand the ball and making things happen on their own.

It's the player we have needed for so, so long.

 

[SpongeBob brown shoes]

Confirmed he was a free transfer, amazing

 

[UptheTofees]

Confirmed he was a free transfer, amazing

Carletto is the gift that keeps on giving

 

[messymascot]

My only problem with James is where to play him. I like him on the right of a front but I think he can do an equally good job as the most advanced of a midfield 3. Its a bit like the Richarlison conundrum he is equally at home as a striker or on the left wing but that decision is made easier when DCL is fit.

 

[Baines' left foot]

That was an incredible question some were implicitly positing - even if they couched it behind words like "workrate" and "balance". It was mind-boggling to see some bring it up as if they were courageous sage-like whistelblowers in a forum of groupthinkers.

You’ve articulated this perfectly. It also sums up a chunk of modern football fans. Twitter is littered with edgy football fan accounts begging for attention.

 

[BirkenheadBlue]

Carletto is the gift that keeps on giving

Carlo got us in the door. No chance James even takes our call otherwise.

But Brands has played a blinder too getting him on a free.