‘He doesn’t do what elite players do’ – Everton man facing criticism, needs to help Ancelotti out

Since James Rodriguez joined Everton last summer, we’ve been seeing the Colombian press being quite extreme regarding him and the Toffees.

When the midfielder had a great start at the club, there were repeat stories highlighting how far he and Carlo Ancelotti could get at Goodison Park. Then with the ups and downs, other articles started exaggerating criticism.

A good example of it today in some comments from ESPN journalist Jorge Bermúdez, who’s quoted by Marca. He claims that James Rodriguez isn’t such the top player he’s often labelled, mostly because of his lack of consistency and effort on the pitch.

“With all due respect I say, James is a good footballer, but he’s not among the elite of the world’s players. Who are they today? Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kevin de Bruyne. James in the national team must be a starter because there’s no other better than him, buthe doesn’t do what elite players do; travel 30 and 40 metres throughout the 90 minutes.”

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Bermúdes also talked about Everton’s tactics, and how Ancelotti had to change the team for James to fit in better with others.

“Now, you have to negotiate and that Ancelotti has done. Ancelotti I remember that once he left 4-4-1-1, to make a 4-3-2-1 so that James Rodriguez, when he had to chase back, if he didn’t chase back, Doucouré would be closer to the winger and cover a gap and give a hand to the fullback.

“Because on the fullback, Coleman, they’d take him and turn him, because James wouldn’t come back. So, one way or another, the manager has given James solutions. But James also has to help himself and say ‘Well, here the manager helps me, but me too, I’m going to give him a hand’.”

Still, the journalist points out that the midfielder’s talent guarantees that he can still be an important player for Everton.

“Talent solves it. James, in a set piece, puts in a good ball, Yerry Mina heads and you win a game. He has quality, that’s also necessary in the game. In the game it’s necessary to chase back to give a hand to the winger, but also put a ball in.”

In these few months at Everton, James Rodriguez holds a record of three goals and seven assists in 15 appearances for the Toffees.