Ever since James Rodriguez joined Everton in the summer, the wolves have been at the door trying to bring him down.
Even when he was starring at the beginning of the season, there were those trying to put a negative spin on things and basically criticise the Colombian at any opportunity.
That has only intensified every time he has been out of action, and his latest has naturally got everyone talking.
Rodriguez was missing for Everton’s win over Wolves last night, with Carlo Ancelotti telling reporters that he was ‘fatigued’ after returning against Sheffield United.
That obviously led to talk of Rodriguez being lazy and what other accusations that could stick and then another look at his injury record at Everton and Real Madrid.
The Colombian edition of MARCA offer their stance today and say his latest absence is causing concern for his national team.
Rodriguez is a part of Reinaldo Rueda’s squad for the COPA America this summer but his poor end to the season and the fact he has been ‘regularly absent’ is a concern for the Colombia boss.
His absence from the clash with Wolves was a ‘cause of concern’ for Rueda as he plans for Rodriguez to be a ‘reference’ in his team.
Beyond the fact he might have picked up another minor injury, the ‘lack of rhythm’ for the midfielder is ‘going to be a point to take into account’.
That’s because the Copa America is set to start right after the end of the season, and it will be a month of ‘strong competition’ in which ‘physical condition’ will be ‘more than decisive’.
Colombia need Rodriguez to be fully fit and firing then, but his latest absence for Everton suggests that will not be the case, an issue that ‘gnaws at’ Colombia boss Reinaldo Rueda.
