In a recent video interview with Daniel Habif (transcripted and translated by Goal.com), Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez has provided an update on his future and revealed his desire to make a switch to the Premier League this summer. The Colombian playmaker said, “I’ve already been in several good leagues and the only thing missing is Serie A and the Premier League, you have to see where I want to go or where they want me to go.
“Going to England would be a good thing, it’s a top league.
“I too would like to know where I am going. It may take days or weeks until I know where I am going. I really don’t know. I want to go where I can play, where I am happy and where I feel loved by the whole world.”
Rodriguez also went on to add, “[Zidane] has his own tastes for some players and he is respectable.
“I don’t get involved there. When you see that you don’t have the same opportunities as your team-mates, it’s difficult. I wanted to leave and the club wouldn’t let me leave.
“I wanted to go where I could have played, I knew I would not have opportunities, because Zidane already had his base. My wish was that the fans would have the memory of my previous stage at Madrid, not this. I did get 36 goals and 42 assists.
“[This season] is one of the biggest disappointments of my career, but thank God I am young and I have years ahead of me to be happy.”
Rodriguez’s Mounting Struggles In La Liga Last Season
It was a season of frustrations for the Cucuta-born attacker as he struggled to earn regular first-team chances at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Frequent injuries also didn’t help his cause at the Spanish capital as he ended the campaign making only 14 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring one goal and grabbing two assists on all fronts.
Rodriguez deserves a little bit of praise for staying active in midfield despite securing limited game time in the last term. The 29-year-old averaged 2.1 tackles, 1.1 shots, 1.8 key passes and 0.8 crosses per game in the Spanish top tier and boasts a pass success rate of 82.3% in league football (stats via whoscored).
What Does The Colombian International Bring To The Table?
Rodriguez needs to overcome his injury problems as he has still got a lot to offer on the field. He is a decent playmaker from midfield due to his football intelligence that helps him pick out some decisive through-balls in the final third. The 76-time Colombian international packs a lot of power with his shot attempts which makes him a potent goal-threat from long range.
However, one can argue whether the Madrid outcast has enough left in his tank to prove his worth at the highest level. It is quite likely that the ex-Porto maestro might struggle to cope with the physical nature and high intensity of football in England.
Why Los Blancos Need To Offload Rodriguez This Summer
Rodriguez has overstayed his welcome at the Bernabeu, so he needs to part ways with the club immediately in search of greener pastures. The best way for him to rediscover his old form would be to secure regular game time at a new destination in the upcoming campaign.
Zinedine Zidane has currently got Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Lucas Vasquez, Luka Modric and Federico Valverde in his midfield department, so he does not need to retain Rodriguez’s services beyond this summer. At 29, the Colombian sensation is running out of time as he battles to stay relevant at the top level. The bottom line remains that both the player and the club would benefit from parting ways with each other before the transfer window slams shut later this year.
