James Rodriguez will struggle to return to the ‘elite’ level of the game after swapping Everton for Al Rayyan last summer.
Rodriguez made the move to Qatar in September last year, bringing an end to a one-year stay at Goodison Park when then Everton manager Rafa Benitez made it clear he didn’t want him in his squad.
His time in the Middle East has been something of a successful one so far, with him managing five goals and seven assists in 15 games to date.
That, though, has largely been attributed to the fact that he finds himself playing in a league where the level is far below what he has experienced throughout his career.
Before the move to Qatar, Rodriguez had spent the majority of his career at the elite level of the game, playing in the top divisions in Portugal, France, Spain, Germany and then the Premier League with Everton.
It’s because of that that he’s been linked with a return to Europe this summer, but Colombia icon Tino Asprilla can’t see his compatriot getting the move he would want.
“He will hardly return to the elite,” Antena 2 report him saying.
“In addition, he has an injury. James can’t play ten games in a row. It is very difficult for a big team to sign him when he plays two games, rests three and comes back and plays two.
“I don’t think we will see James at the elite level again.”
