2021/22 James Rodriguez

[BlueToff]

I have no issue with whatever James gets up to of a weekend - that's his own business. Thing is, he's making it everyone else's by posting this kind of stuff on social media. One of the big issues some people now have with the game is how divorced the players are from the fans. That's inevitable given the money in the game today, but posting mysterious "look at me" photos from a private jet on social media simply reinforces that divide and shows us all what a circus top level football now is. Essentially, this is Brand James promoting Brand James. That's fine, it is what it is, but football is based on at least the illusion of tribalism, of identifying with your players, and on the pretence that they have at least the shirt in common with the fans. Here we have a hired gun jetting off to his next big top. Or something.

I think James is a beautiful footballer - and he's got lovely legs - but this is just exhibitionism and voyeurism at this stage. He's probably just taking the jet to Tesco.

What about when Dom goes on holiday and posts a different picture of him every day in a different outfit.

Do you have an issue with that?

Remember when Lukaku posted the photo of him on the jet when he signed for us in 2014?

 

[BlueToff]

He has been training with the team for last few weeks. Been in the background of pictures out of focus. As if they are trying to hide the fact he is there.

Was also in Mina's celebratory Instagram post on Wednesday

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

He has definitely reading these pages and doing these things to wind all the MEGA DA's up

 

[davek]

Has he gone yet?

 

[lancs blue]

William tore his contract up at arsenal. We seem to have players happy to sit out contracts. Why not get them cleaning toilets on match day

 

[Goat]

William tore his contract up at arsenal. We seem to have players happy to sit out contracts. Why not get them cleaning toilets on match day

Probably cos I doubt his contract includes cleaning toilets.

 

[ToffeeM4n]

Serious question: why are we so convinced that Betitez doesn't want James?

 

[Drico]

What about when Dom goes on holiday and posts a different picture of him every day in a different outfit.

Do you have an issue with that?

Remember when Lukaku posted the photo of him on the jet when he signed for us in 2014?

They were both performing for their teams, though. James, lately, is performing solely on social media. And no, that's not simply because his manager won't play him. It's because he's constantly unavailable. His audience, these days, is not in the stadium. It is online. Until he can rectify that imbalance, he'll always be a target. Lovely player, though.

 

[Kaiser Soysauce]

Good point Very true. A lot of them have massive egos now. Managers job to get the best out or them.
I just think his too good not to be involved at all.

I agree he can play a part. But injuries and attitude will play a big part of where benitez sees his future. Hate the fact that we were only ancelotti f.c. in his eyes. The tradition, the fans, everything that makes Everton Everton means eff all to him.

 

[BlueToff]

They were both performing for their teams, though. James, lately, is performing solely on social media. And no, that's not simply because his manager won't play him. It's because he's constantly unavailable. His audience, these days, is not in the stadium. It is online. Until he can rectify that imbalance, he'll always be a target. Lovely player, though.

'they were both performing for their teams'

Well I mean, that's just not right as both instances were in the middle of the summer when neither player had played for their teams.

Dom's last goal for us came when last season? West Ham away in early May? That was before the Sheff Utd game, when he missed a sitter (ironically set up by James).

Now I have no issue with Dom putting anything on Instagram. He can do what he likes. As can James. Whether they're playing well or not, or playing or not.

James has been in isolation, then didn't play against Brighton while we were trying to involve him in a swap deal with Porto (fair enough, no point jeopardising that is there).

Other than that, he hasn't been on Twitch. All we've seen of him is him in training before Brighton and then the picture Mina put up from the other day, also from training.

It's a really weird gripe that footy fans have - players using social media. What should happen? They only get access to their accounts if they score a goal or cover 10km in a game?

 

[BlueToff]

Serious question: why are we so convinced that Betitez doesn't want James?

He's not arsed if he goes and ideally the club wanted his wages off the books (and still want them).

I imagine Benitez is looking at it from the point of view that he doesn't view him as a crucial player moving forward, which is fine, that's his decision. But that's not to say he wouldn't use him if he's here. We can only wait and see on that. James might well have gone by the time the next game comes around, which would be stupid and leave us short and show that actually, it was only ever all about finances, and not getting a replacement in.

 

[kenada_blue]

Serious question: why are we so convinced that Betitez doesn't want James?

He'd be daft not to have him playing.

But I guess it's more if the player can be bothered to play. Seems to be the key thing, whether it's mentally or physically. Columbia's head coach has basically said the same thing.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

Serious question: why are we so convinced that Betitez doesn't want James?

Tbf, James is on £2.5 million a week, and Benitez is on 5 curly wurlys and a weekly pass for Blood Brothers. You can understand he is why he is fuming.

 

[Sassy Colombian]

i admit that i was winding you up….

Transfer windows closed and international football is on so it was a bit quiet.

the parenting analogy though….. you don’t have kids do you?? Haha….

Ps. Tino is a mad man

You were not winding me up. I like to have a good debate, what I don’t like is poster calling our player demeaning names.

I sure do, I have a spoiled 10 year old daughter who at times thinks she can do whatever but that’s when the parent role is crucial.

loco=tino

 

[ToffeeM4n]

He's not arsed if he goes and ideally the club wanted his wages off the books (and still want them).

I imagine Benitez is looking at it from the point of view that he doesn't view him as a crucial player moving forward, which is fine, that's his decision. But that's not to say he wouldn't use him if he's here. We can only wait and see on that. James might well have gone by the time the next game comes around, which would be stupid and leave us short and show that actually, it was only ever all about finances, and not getting a replacement in.

I mean, why wouldn't Benitez want James to be a crucial player? He's obviously better than Townsend and Iwobi. Has he said something like that or just our guesses? I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be a starter.