2021/22 James Rodriguez

[BlueToff]

Come on now Toff we had a 2nd string side out against Huddersfield.

Doucoure, Allan, DCL, Richarlison, Godfrey & Digne in that side and we would have hammered them.

I agree we need options from the bench - if James stays until January or next summer when he's out of contract I have no problem with him coming off the bench I just dont think he/Gomes/Delph/Siggurdsson have any use to us starting games anymore they lack the vital ingredients to make the current system work.

Huddersfield had a second string side out too

So all that does is speak to the lack of quality in depth in the squad. And that's my point. We can't replace James for at least four months so having a player of his quality in the squad makes the squad better, doesn't it, and also gives us a different option in how we attack teams.

If we'd got the Diaz deal done, and replaced James with him, then fair enough. We'd have brought in a quick player with a lot of promise etc and still had another attacking option. But we didn't. So we absolutely should not even be considering losing a member of our squad (who happens to have a lot of quality too) without the capability to immediately replace them.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

If you look at the videos of James going up and down the stairs on that yacht its obviously been planned to assist with the calf problem and a clever move in my book.

Also seeing those young ladies in bikinis its clear that there was vigorous cardiovascular activity working on heart rate, blood pressure and mental wellbeing, probably with deep tissue massage factored into the sessions.

It makes are others players stupid decisions to go and spend a weekend at a fun fair or in the pub seem wholly unprofessional. Benitez must be thinking that he has inherited a squad of half wits as James has shown how a professional behaves.

 

[HumbleWedbetters]

What are you on about?

He's been given a weekend off to do as he pleases, as all the players have.

He doesn't need to be at Finch Farm at all.

I don't need to make excuses for someone being given time off. It will have been the manager - your new God Benitez - who decided to do that.

All I said was I'd rather a player be sunning himself in Ibiza with his mates than going out for 12 hours on the ale.

The need for closure with James is strong.

It may take him to wear a Liverpool shirt before some realise he's not for us.

Am I 100% on this? No. He's a ridiculously gifted footballer and by far the best player we have.

That's the key question..... Is he on board?

all very well being footballing skills eye candy and a big name. The challenge the club have had is passengers......far too many of them and you only need one or two to make a few others think "oh it's ok for him to be tired and get private jets here there and everywhere" . Disrupts the dynamic that Rafael is clearly trying to create.

id like for him to work but sadly I don't see it.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

The need for closure with James is strong.

It may take him to wear a Liverpool shirt before some realise he's not for us.

Am I 100% on this? No. He's a ridiculously gifted footballer and by far the best player we have.

That's the key question..... Is he on board?

all very well being footballing skills eye candy and a big name. The challenge the club have had is passengers......far too many of them and you only need one or two to make a few others think "oh it's ok for him to be tired and get private jets here there and everywhere" . Disrupts the dynamic that Rafael is clearly trying to create.

id like for him to work but sadly I don't see it.

Thats the key point, way I see it there are two ways to be successful:

1. Have the best players

2. Have the most hard working players

We are in no position for option 1 therefore you focus on option 2. Obviously you need quality alongside the hard working but I would say the two are not seperate - Richarlison is talented but he also works his socks off, DCL works hard on and off the ball, players like Doucoure who runs and runs all game yet still has moments of good quality.

The PL isn't a league you can afford to have players like Siggurdsson and Gomes strolling around and expect to finish in the european places.

 

[BlueToff]

The need for closure with James is strong.

It may take him to wear a Liverpool shirt before some realise he's not for us.

Am I 100% on this? No. He's a ridiculously gifted footballer and by far the best player we have.

That's the key question..... Is he on board?

all very well being footballing skills eye candy and a big name. The challenge the club have had is passengers......far too many of them and you only need one or two to make a few others think "oh it's ok for him to be tired and get private jets here there and everywhere" . Disrupts the dynamic that Rafael is clearly trying to create.

id like for him to work but sadly I don't see it.

We've got a manager whose crowning achievement was leading Liverpool to the Champions League.

He's been training for the past two weeks and has been given time off, by the manager (which is fine) like the rest of the players who weren't on international duty.

The club (ergo, the manager) will have given him permission to go to Ibiza. He and the rest of the players, regardless of where they have been away, will be expected to be back in training whenever the manager specified. That might be today, might be tomorrow or even Friday, we don't know.

 

[BlueToff]

Thats the key point, way I see it there are two ways to be successful:

1. Have the best players

2. Have the most hard working players

We are in no position for option 1 therefore you focus on option 2. Obviously you need quality alongside the hard working but I would say the two are not seperate - Richarlison is talented but he also works his socks off, DCL works hard on and off the ball, players like Doucoure who runs and runs all game yet still has moments of good quality.

The PL isn't a league you can afford to have players like Siggurdsson and Gomes strolling around and expect to finish in the european places.

But Sigurdsson and Gomes don't offer the creativity and guile that James does.

James also moves with the ball as much as he can and then can pick a brilliant pass. Again, Sigurdsson has never done that and Gomes stopped doing it (not sure he's ever had a defence-splitting pass in him). James' passing range is also, by far, the best in the squad.

This idea he 'can't fit' is ludicrous because he's so good that of course he can fit. Of course he has to work hard but not every game is about just blood and thunder. We need quality on top of that and ultimately we can't bring anyone in as it stands, so you don't go getting rid of a truly unique player within the squad.

Again, it's horses for courses. We absolutely cannot just line up in every single game, think it's alright to not have possession and hit teams on the break. It won't work in every game.

We've played very well all in all in 2.5/4 games. It's early days and now the squad should be settled and we find a way through until January. We are already depleted as it is so just lobbing James to Turkey and paying half of his wages would be daft considering what he can bring to the table.

That in no way translates to him having to start every game.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

But Sigurdsson and Gomes don't offer the creativity and guile that James does.

James also moves with the ball as much as he can and then can pick a brilliant pass. Again, Sigurdsson has never done that and Gomes stopped doing it (not sure he's ever had a defence-splitting pass in him). James' passing range is also, by far, the best in the squad.

This idea he 'can't fit' is ludicrous because he's so good that of course he can fit. Of course he has to work hard but not every game is about just blood and thunder. We need quality on top of that and ultimately we can't bring anyone in as it stands, so you don't go getting rid of a truly unique player within the squad.

Again, it's horses for courses. We absolutely cannot just line up in every single game, think it's alright to not have possession and hit teams on the break. It won't work in every game.

We've played very well all in all in 2.5/4 games. It's early days and now the squad should be settled and we find a way through until January. We are already depleted as it is so just lobbing James to Turkey and paying half of his wages would be daft considering what he can bring to the table.

That in no way translates to him having to start every game.

Problem for us is we have too many players that dont suit the new Everton hence why for me this is a season of transition until we can hopefully spend a bit of dough next summer.

James
Siggurdsson
Gomes
Delph
Coleman (tries his best but his legs have gone)
Holgate
Keane
Kenny

Thats not including Toshun who's just a bum.

If you replace even half of those players with faster, stronger ones who have an ounce of ability/quality then Everton are a top 7 side.

 

[miff]

But Sigurdsson and Gomes don't offer the creativity and guile that James does.

James also moves with the ball as much as he can and then can pick a brilliant pass. Again, Sigurdsson has never done that and Gomes stopped doing it (not sure he's ever had a defence-splitting pass in him). James' passing range is also, by far, the best in the squad.

This idea he 'can't fit' is ludicrous because he's so good that of course he can fit. Of course he has to work hard but not every game is about just blood and thunder. We need quality on top of that and ultimately we can't bring anyone in as it stands, so you don't go getting rid of a truly unique player within the squad.

Again, it's horses for courses. We absolutely cannot just line up in every single game, think it's alright to not have possession and hit teams on the break. It won't work in every game.

We've played very well all in all in 2.5/4 games. It's early days and now the squad should be settled and we find a way through until January. We are already depleted as it is so just lobbing James to Turkey and paying half of his wages would be daft considering what he can bring to the table.

That in no way translates to him having to start every game.

He's got to want to fit in, undoubted talent but from everything I see and hear and also taking into account his record at other clubs, I just don't think he's that arsed.
Love him or loathe him, Benitez wants players who care and as fans we should want that as well.

 

[Lord Buckethead]

He's got to want to fit in, undoubted talent but from everything I see and hear and also taking into account his record at other clubs, I just don't think he's that arsed.
Love him or loathe him, Benitez wants players who care and as fans we should want that as well.

To be fair, he's been told he's not wanted and to get out of the Club as quickly as possible from the minute Rafalel took over.
Benitez doesn't want him and will not play him.
That's got to play on your motivation somewhat.

 

[Spadge Vernacular]

The need for closure with James is strong.

It may take him to wear a Liverpool shirt before some realise he's not for us.

Am I 100% on this? No. He's a ridiculously gifted footballer and by far the best player we have.

That's the key question..... Is he on board?

all very well being footballing skills eye candy and a big name. The challenge the club have had is passengers......far too many of them and you only need one or two to make a few others think "oh it's ok for him to be tired and get private jets here there and everywhere" . Disrupts the dynamic that Rafael is clearly trying to create.

id like for him to work but sadly I don't see it.

Well said @HumbleWedbetters

It is not often that small disenfranchised groups find a voice but I feel that you are speaking for all of our bedwetters in saying this. I also appreciate the play on words in your username. It's subtle enough for fellow bedwetters to see you are one of them without being too obvious and I salute for this. ?

 

[Death]

Why should he "definitely be involved" if he doesn't fit in?

That makes no sense.

Obviously you don't play football manager.

 

[Death]

Ohhhhh! So THAT's what this is all about.

Understood.

Its what it's always been about Rafael Unbeatez hasn't lost a game yet and James is the new stick/straw.

 

[miff]

To be fair, he's been told he's not wanted and to get out of the Club as quickly as possible from the minute Rafalel took over.
Benitez doesn't want him and will not play him.
That's got to play on your motivation somewhat.

I do agree but Benitez's call is based on what he knows about James. He's managed him and must know he's a bit of a prima donna. We can't just blame Everton and Beinitez on this one as if you look at his career, it's littered with missed opportunities.
If he was the top top player he believes he is, he wouldn't be playing for us and their would be a queue of clubs wanting him now.

 

[BNJ1878]

Jeez. Another 30 pages today arguing over commitment levels.

I have asked mods before, I'll ask again.

Is there any add you you can activate (like with the rep) that allows us to ignore entire threads?

This one is like a car crash, I shouldn't look but I can't help it.

 

[Lord Buckethead]

I do agree but Benitez's call is based on what he knows about James. He's managed him and must know he's a bit of a prima donna. We can't just blame Everton and Beinitez on this one as if you look at his career, it's littered with missed opportunities.
If he was the top top player he believes he is, he wouldn't be playing for us and their would be a queue of clubs wanting him now.

Yup, and some of the reason will be the high wages he's on, but he's already shown he's willing to drop those to get away.
His Stats from last year were good, when he played.
Just can't believe Rafalafel is refusing to play him to prove his fitness, and to try to entice someone to come in for him.
It's just utter ego and arrogance and against what is best for Everton and Hammy Rodz.