Below is some of the reasoning behind Colombia's coach to exclude James from the squad for the upcoming matches.
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Reinaldo Rueda, coach of Colombia's National Team, spoke at a press conference prior to the match against Peru for the Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. The coach explained the reasons that led him to make the decision to remove James from the squad list and indicated that he informed him before publishing the FCF statement.
Rueda, made it clear that he had a communication with James in which he communicated the decision: " Prior to the Federation statement, I talked with James by phone to discuss the results of the medical exams and to the review of the information exchanged by Doctors of the Colombian National Team and Everton regarding James' situation and that is why the decision was made that we must take care of him. We know the importance he has for the national team and his impact for the next 10 games that are coming, as I explained to James, September 3, October 3, November 2 and January 2. "
Additionally, the Valle del Cauca coach explained that he prefers to sacrifice him now to be able to have him in full condition later: "I considered it myself and it was the conclusion that I reached after evaluating all the situations that have arisen this semester and this last quarter, which James is living, that we should not abuse or precipitate his recovery now because of the current competition that we have for the 2 qualifying games and also our participation in Copa America. That is why I told James that I made the decision to disengage him from the call so he could complete his recovery accordingly, with the corresponding terms and reasonable times, so that he can enjoy a full preseason with his club and so we can have him ready for future dates, that I preferred to sacrifice him now with all that James means for the National Team, for the group and for the country".
On the other hand, regarding the time it may take for the '10' to recover, he stated : "Recovery times are very relative. Perhaps other experiences have taught us that, the player's anxiety and desire is always to want to be here and it is such a special space for a National Team player to reconnect with his teammates and contribute all his talent. Perhaps, one also unconsciously precipitates these appearances and causes the consequences that we have had already occur in various situations (with James)".
The coach also indicated that he cannot harm the player nor the team: "It is not only the healing of a recurrent injury in the same place, but then the readjustment to the competition, especially according to the report sent by his club and the preparation of and requirements of a tournament such as Copa America.
We cannot harm ourselves, we cannot harm James and the National Team, I consider that the National Team requires the James that we all fell in love with. I told him we need him but when he is 500%, because we know that 100% is not enough for the National Team"
Regarding the statement that Rodríguez published Rueda said: "In the communication we had the day before James expressed his feeling to me and it is normal. If I put myself in his shoes and how captains Juan Guillermo, David, Falcao and the players standing in solidarity with him, feel the same. His reaction is normal, he is a player and wants to play and be in the National Team, and even more so he who has lived glorious moments with the National Team . It is the pain of a moment that he is going to have his grieve and that's why I told him, 'think about it, reconsider and in a few months we'll talk and see how you feel.'
Finally, he assured that players must be fully capable of competing in elite football: "It is normal, all of us and you, the media, play a decisive role. We are going to complete 20 years without South America having a world champion team. We can't continue harming each other. When we do not respect the terms, the calendar nor the physical integrity of our players, happens what just happened. We cannot take players to elite competitions without their being 500% . His statement is normal, the pain of a player who feels that the National Team is his because he has lived it since he was young ".
El técnico de la Selección Colombia habló en rueda de prensa y se refirió a la decisión de sacar al volante de la convocatoria.
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