While Real Madrid center attacking midfielder James Rodriguez is a prime candidate to receive a transfer this summer, he would deserve one more season to prove his world-class ability.
Several Real Madrid players had their seasons derailed by injuries in 2019-2020. Gareth Bale‘s final season with Los Blancos may have ended with a whimper due to injuries, and Eden Hazard‘s first season in a White kit was marred by TWO major injuries. And Marco Asensio? He didn’t even get to play due to a pre-season ACL tear.
But if you ask me, the unluckiest player on Real Madrid has to be James Rodriguez. Every time it seemed like he had earned some momentum or was on the precipice of receiving a real opportunity, some random injury – or family issue – prevented him from starting.
James spent extra time training. He went above and beyond to earn a spot in Zinedine Zidane‘s eyes. When he was on the pitch, he did everything he could to help his team win, whether it was setting up teammates or working hard defensively. Nobody will forget the effort he put forth in Real Madrid’s critical September win at the Sanchez Pijzuan.
More from The Real Champs
- The Xabi Factor: What Alonso could bring to Real Madrid as manager
- Manchester City hold talks over Real Madrid target
- Real Madrid player confirms he is playing with a fracture
- Real Madrid superstar rejected Premier League clubs confirmed
- Spaniard ready to join Real Madrid instead of Liverpool
However, in spite of his best efforts, James Rodriguez could be forced to leave the club he loves once again. Except this time, it may be for good.
Real Madrid are in the midst of a “Revolution”, which involves finding a new superstar to lead the club post-Cristiano Ronaldo while also assembling a squad of young talent to take over for the old guard of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, Bale, and others.
Difficult decisions will be made this summer in order to clear physical space on the roster and space to accommodate wages of another superstar player like Jadon Sancho, Sadio Mane, or even Kylian Mbappe.
James could be one of those casualties.
But if Real Madrid decide to give James one more year to show his stuff and prove he belongs as a key part of the squad, he would deserve it.
When he was healthy, his work ethic impressed. He has always been a high-character guy who fits the ethos of any squad, in spite of the backpage rumors attempting to tarnish his name.
Above all else, though, James has quality. In the prime of his career, James led Real Madrid in “big chances created”, per SofaScore.com, prior to falling out of Zidane’s regular rotation due to injuries. James was one of the best in La Liga at setting up others and did so on a team where few others were creating clear-cut chances with incisive, creative passes.
A man with an eye for goal, James has scored some of Real Madrid’s most delightful volleys and longshots over the years, too. Quietly, he showed that same goal-scoring and assisting quality for Bayern Munich.
James Rodriguez makes a difference in critical moments; he has what we call a “final product”. So if Real Madrid decide the offers they are getting for James on the transfer market are insufficient for a player of his quality or realize they could use his gifts in the squad, he would be more than deserving of a chance. If it weren’t for injuries and rotten luck, he would have seized his opportunity in 2019-2020.