Real Madrid could be looking to move on from the 2014 World Cup breakout star this summer
After a fantastic 2014-15 campaign for Real Madrid, James Rodriguez has struggled at the Santiago Bernabeu this season. The Colombian has seen a drop off in playing time and in production and questions are being asked about if his breakout year, which saw him playing fantastically for club and country, was a fluke.
Unlike last year, Rodriguez didn’t have to fight for playing time. He was the first choice center attacking midfielder and there was no doubt about it. He was Carlos Ancelotti’s man and he played in a lot of the big games. This year has been a totally different story. He was left on the bench in Real Madrid’s opening game, sparking questions about his fit in Rafa Benitez’s system. Injuries also hurt the Columbian’s case for action as he suffered a thigh muscle tear during an international friendly. It’s all been downhill from there with James.
Now with Casemiro and Isco growing into bigger roles under Zinedine Zidane, Rodriguez could be looking for a move elsewhere. A move that could grant him more playing time. According to British newspapers, Rodriguez has been linked to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United. Both clubs would greatly benefit from the Columbian’s arrival, especially the Red Devils who are still looking for a player to replace Wayne Rooney in that key number 10 role.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
But this will be a tricky sell for Real Madrid for many reasons. First off, they paid a hefty sum to get him to Madrid and knowing Fiorentino Perez, he wouldn’t want to sell James at a loss. Trying to find a club that will spend around 80 million euros to match his fee that brought him from Monaco. But clubs always will spend for players such as James, which brings up the second point of asking if Real Madrid are giving up on him too early. Real Madrid had the same debate with Gareth Bale after his poor campaign in his second season at Real.
But he has since rebounded and is looking to be the future number one attacking option when Ronaldo eventually leaves Madrid. In a game where a season of no trophies brings disaster, teams need quick solutions and coaches and players have quick leashes. But for a player like James, this may be just a bad dip in form.
According to Bleacher Report’s Guillem Balague, Real would sell James at the right price. It may not be the right move but for a team like Real Madrid, they have the funds to replace him in terms of attacking players.