In a recent report, Sky Sports claimed that Everton outcast James Rodriguez is in talks over a move to Qatar. It is understood that the Toffees playmaker is hoping to seal a switch away from Merseyside before the transfer window in Qatar slams shut on September 30.
Rodriguez’s Up And Down Season At Goodison Park
Rodriguez had a debut campaign of mixed emotions at the blue half of Merseyside as he caught the eye at times because of his creativity in the final third. However, the Colombia international ended up missing a lot of key games because of injury.
The Cucuta-born sensation took part in 26 matches for the Toffees last season, netting six goals and grabbing nine assists in the process across multiple competitions. Rodriguez proved himself to be an influential presence in the final third after he averaged 1.6 shots, 1.7 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He even distributed possession with conviction as he made 83.3% of his attempted passes in the English first division (stats via whoscored).
Rodriguez is on high wages at Goodison Park, so it is no surprise that Rafael Benitez is trying to freeze him out of his squad. Maybe a potential move to Qatar could be a good move for both the player and the Merseyside club as they try to move on in search of some success in the coming seasons.
Why The Toffees Need To Cut Rodriguez Loose
Rodriguez has already proven his worth as one of the best playmakers in Premier League football. He can create chances out of nothing as he got the eye to pick out a decisive pass deep inside the opponent’s half.
However, frequent injuries have hampered his progress at Merseyside which is why the player should prioritize on sealing a move elsewhere in search of regular playing minutes over the next few years. At 30, Rodriguez has only got a handful of years left in him to play at top gear.
Plus, the Toffees can also benefit a lot from getting his name off their wage bill before the end of this month. Rafael Benitez would believe that he has enough strength in depth in his attacking department to cope with the Colombian’s exit. With all things considered, Everton should think about cutting Rodriguez loose by letting him make a switch to Qatar right now.
