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5 possible new clubs for Real Madrid outcast James Rodriguez

By Harry De Cosemo

TRONDHEIM, NORWAY - AUGUST 09: James Rodriguez of Real Madrid celebrate with the trophy after theUEFA Super Cup match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at the Lerkendal Stadion on August 9, 2016 in Trondheim, Norway. (Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images)
TRONDHEIM, NORWAY - AUGUST 09: James Rodriguez of Real Madrid celebrate with the trophy after theUEFA Super Cup match between Real Madrid and Sevilla at the Lerkendal Stadion on August 9, 2016 in Trondheim, Norway. (Photo by Trond Tandberg/Getty Images) /
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SEVILLE, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 22: Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla FC and Juventus at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on November 22, 2016 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – AMA/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 22: Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla FC and Juventus at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on November 22, 2016 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – AMA/Getty Images) /

1. Juventus

Since the departures of both Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo in the summer of 2015, Italian champions Juventus have struggled for creative identity. The pair, alongside Claudio Marchisio and Paul Pogba, formed one of the best midfields around and the base for Juve’s run to the Champions League final.

Defeat to Barcelona that night signalled the end, and a rethink in that area of the pitch. Mesut Ozil and Julian Draxler were heavily linked with moves to Turin immediately after, but in the end Pogba was afforded more responsibility, while Brazilian Hernanes signed from Inter.

After one of the longest saga’s in recent memory this summer, Pogba then left Juve to return to Manchester United. Once again, it was back to the drawing board for coach Max Allegri and a host of attacking midfielders became speculated targets, this time including Rodriguez.

Many believed that when Zidane, a former Juve star himself, blocked any move for Rodriguez, it would mean he’d be given another opportunity to stake his claim. But with Real going well in LaLiga that plainly hasn’t materialised.

Juve had another excellent transfer window in the summer, simultaneously strengthening themselves and weakening main title threats Napoli and Roma by signing Gonzalo Higuain and Miralem Pjanic respectively. Pjanic was brought in to add strength in the middle and his presence could impact on any possible move from Rodriguez.

The Bosnian can operate in a deeper role, though, and Rodriguez is a player who could certainly thrive in Serie A if given time to get back to his very best.

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