Opinion: Real Madrid would be making a huge mistake selling James Rodriguez to Atletico
By Ben Sundock
Rumors have been flying around that Real Madrid could offload midfielder James Rodriguez to rivals Atletico before the summer transfer window closes. If the club is smart, they won’t let the talented Colombian go to their rivals.
Real Madrid has turned from big buyers to big sellers in the matter of a few weeks. They have gotten rid of some necessary fluff on the fringes of the lineup that have not only drawn in a good amount of money – just over €100 million so far – but also been the best move for the players.
For example, the sales of Mateo Kovacic and Theo Hernandez to Chelsea and AC Milan respectively were what the players wanted and will likely benefit them in their future.
Now, the only sale that has really made me unhappy is the decision to let central defensive midfielder Marcos Llorente join Diego Simeone and Atleti just across the Spanish capital.
The Spanish international has outstanding potential and should fit very nicely in Simeone’s defensive-minded formations. As if losing the majestic beast Llorente wasn’t enough, now James Rodriguez is reportedly tied with Atleti. Really?
After a two-year loan stint with Bayern Munich, many Real Madrid fans expected the playmaker to either return to Madrid and play for Zinedine Zidane or stay with Bayern if they chose to exercise the buyout option in the loan deal.
Just like three weeks ago, we are in limbo as to where exactly James might play his next club football match. Truly, it is hard to believe that a player with so much talent and such a great knowledge of how the game is meant to be played can still not be wanted.
President Florentino Perez has made it no mystery that he wants James back in the all white kit, but it is a weird disagreement between James and Zidane which is holding the deal up.
It is assumed within the club that James Rodriguez will join his Real Madrid teammates on July 29th and begin his preseason regimen with the assumption attached that he will be a part of the first-team come the league’s first day.
Some say that the prospect of signing Paul Pogba is enough to let James walk directly over to Real Madrid’s arch-rival. I strongly disagree.
Next. Real Madrid’s first Galacatica signing – Kosovarre Asllani. dark
I want to see James back at the club at least for the fall. Give him a chance to show his worth and if nothing good comes of it, loan him out again or sell him in January! To put it simply, I think it is wrong to let a talented player like this who has shown he can play in La Liga walk like this.
If Napoli and Real can reach an agreement, that would be a much better move for Rodriguez who would be linking back up with former manager Carlo Ancelotti who he thrived with in his first year in Spain.
Whatever you do Florentino Perez: don’t sell James Rodriguez to Atletico Madrid! The money may be enticing, but the potential damage a player of James’ caliber cam inflict on his former team is far too scary.
Remember what the Colombian did in the Champions League knockout stage a year ago in the Santiago Bernabéu?