Between injuries and managerial decisions, James has failed to take advantage of his second chance at the club and is out again for the Sevilla game.
James Rodríguez takes one step forward and one step back at Real Madrid. After returning to the squad for the Super Cup and playing for 13 minutes in the semi-final against Valencia, Zidane has left him out of the squad for Sevilla. The Colombian is not injured but is getting used to spending more time in the stands than he is on the field. Meanwhile, his name is on the agenda for several European clubs with Carlo Ancelotti keeping tabs on him as he starts to build his Everton side. Real Madrid have discarded the possibility of a January exit.
After returning from Bayern in the summer, he has been in and out of Zidane's plans. The 28-year-old had one foot in the door at Atlético before the 3-7 defeat at the hands of Simeone's side put the kibosh on that move. He slowly started to earn playing time and started the season with four appearances in five games -- all four of them starts. Between injuries and managerial decisions, however, he returned to square one.
The last three months have not been easy for James. In October, he played his last game as a starter against Mallorca. Zidane made some changes for the game and it was a game that changed his trajectory. He has only played 24 minutes since.
After the Mallorca defeat, Zidane played him for 11 minutes against Galatasaray. After that, he travelled to Colombia for the birth of his child and he was injured at that time too although the club never released a statement. He missed the Leganés, Betis, Galatasaray and Eibar games. Respite came in the form of the international break and James trained with his country and injured himself again. "They aren't injured but they're not available," said Zidane about James and Bale as their continued absences raised questions. "They still haven't trained with the team and they can't play tomorrow." He injured a ligmant in his knee and missed a month before getting the all-clear on 19 December but Zidane left him out of the squad for the Athletic Bilbao game and against Getafe.
A lot has changed since James last played a role at Real Madrid and now he has to do a lot of catching up. Fede Valverde has exploded onto the scene and Kroos is revitalised. Isco is a regular feature again and there is a lot of competition for time. While he trained during the week, James has lost more ground and is excluded from the 19-man panel named to play Sevilla.
Wonbdimruz
1
so painful am really sad
davegalactico
1
Which player is better between Benzema and James? For me I think Rodriquez is better of the two. The question I have is why does Zizou prefer Benzema instead of James? There's more to it than just always leaving him on and out of the bench
I think you should join another club and change your club crest from Madrid. Am sure you are not a true Madridstas, u are just one of the passive fan that is ruled by sentiments and biased comments such as this one rather than be very objective and realistic in your comments and judgement.
davegalactico
1
why is there always criticism about Zidane not using some players frequently? This is Madrid and all the players are important and they must all proof it and earn their playing time when they have the opportunity. someone on this forum is even saying Zidane should drop Benzema for James, what a serious joke. Benzema has been the best player by far after CR7 left and his goals have helped us this far. James is a good player but he is not at the same level with Kroos and Modric then there's Valverde and Casemiro who is the anchor of Madrid midfield. Isco is also ahead of James in my opinion. Zidane is trying to give all the players game time. the season is just have way gone and more matches will be played when copa De rey resumes next week and UCL next month. It's a very good problem that Zidane have to send out a competitive and strong team that is expected to win all the time. Trust me, its not an easy job, besides James was beginning to lose form toward the end of last season and that is why Bayern didn't buy him even with the option of buying in his loan clause. James just need to keep working hard and make the best of the chances he will get. Its the same challenge Isco is facing cos both are more of a number 10 fitting well on top of the diamond in a diamond formation that is no longer common. 4-3-3 formation is more attack oriented football and its easy to switch from 4-3-3 to 4-3-2-1 or 4-5-1. Barcelona, City, Liverpool, Bayern, Chelsea play 4-3-3 formation almost all of the time. Even Juve use same most of the time.This formation also allow the wing backs to join the attack. James need to be more dynamic to fit into his coach formation and not the coach necessarily changing the whole team set up just to accommodate one or two players.
Acerazali
2
There always a place for james he need to stay at real madrid
XxxLuthan
0
Which player is better between Benzema and James? For me I think Rodriquez is better of the two. The question I have is why does Zizou prefer Benzema instead of James? There's more to it than just always leaving him on and out of the bench
lol what a clown
Cimemrsuy
1
Which player is better between Benzema and James? For me I think Rodriquez is better of the two. The question I have is why does Zizou prefer Benzema instead of James? There's more to it than just always leaving him on and out of the bench
samir1679
1
James tu muthiya maar [Crylaugh]
ORUVAL2
4
He can...let Zidane give him playing time....How did Isco find his....playing time f course!!
lezabiklst
0
james is a great talent but zidane just dosen't uses him. he should leave out for inter or any anyother serie a clubs. i feel sorry for that guy but Zidane just won't play him. But I won't blame Zidane, he knows what he is doing and anything he does is best for the club. I have always trusted Zidane and his process to developbthe squad. he's still got some time where he can perform at his peak but madrid is not a right choice for him atm.
Nicely said man
pahbdimuy
1
zidane don't like James, bale,mariano n he freezes them out its as simple as that.the players don't say it out loud but dani said it before he left on loan.he doesn't want to play with zidane. He is a good coach but he has that abt him.only when he wants to win n have no other option he brings them in.it shouldn't be that way for any player.
ya I get you bro
Wiwcimnst
1
His done!
AnwellBhikham
0
there is a lot of competition in that team my friend, even the guys on bench are too good,you must understand that they can't play at the same time
that true brother but its no secrete that bale is made a scapegoat at madrid he had been training all week.he's a top player why don't play him.as much as we want to say zidane know d best its also no secrete he doesn't go well with bale.he said it himself "it's best for everyone that the player leaves."so happen bale never left. zidane said he had a surprise for the fans.bale started the following game.these things are there and in football it isn't any secret.i would blame bale for the flag he held but i wudnt also rule ot out its sad to be at his level n not have minutes.
pahbdimuy
0
zidane don't like James, bale,mariano n he freezes them out its as simple as that.the players don't say it out loud but dani said it before he left on loan.he doesn't want to play with zidane. He is a good coach but he has that abt him.only when he wants to win n have no other option he brings them in.it shouldn't be that way for any player.
there is a lot of competition in that team my friend, even the guys on bench are too good,you must understand that they can't play at the same time
venbelruy
2
why not ?
wupaimnz
4
He just have to leave, he's wasting his talent, he needs to get happiness else where..
qwertyfc
4
james is a great talent but zidane just dosen't uses him. he should leave out for inter or any anyother serie a clubs. i feel sorry for that guy but Zidane just won't play him. But I won't blame Zidane, he knows what he is doing and anything he does is best for the club. I have always trusted Zidane and his process to developbthe squad. he's still got some time where he can perform at his peak but madrid is not a right choice for him atm.
sriramjr
0
where is anti Real Madrid in this?don't have those childish insecurities as if everything is against us
all football constantly posts nonsense about james and bale..as if it was all zizou's fault...it is these kinds of articles that circulate quickly and cause chaos ...these articles prompt reporters to ask irrelevant questions in press conferences all if which ultimately lead to the player leaving..and i am not saying this article is anti-madrid ..but when u see all the articles as a whole u can find many things which are against us.. for example in an article which analysed the Spanish super cup final which happened last weekend,it was published that atletico dominated real madrid and that real madrid's 5 man midfield never worked against atletico..if u had some basic IQ u would have agreed with me..and u call these childish insecurities .. total bs..learn to analyse things kid.
hewacklpru
2
i stand for james
AnwellBhikham
3
zidane don't like James, bale,mariano n he freezes them out its as simple as that.the players don't say it out loud but dani said it before he left on loan.he doesn't want to play with zidane. He is a good coach but he has that abt him.only when he wants to win n have no other option he brings them in.it shouldn't be that way for any player.
fuddkrtuyz
5
James is best use as an attacking Midfielders.Problem is Real do not play with AM.
Cecdlnptuz
1
no
Juelnotuy
3
Zidan.sometimes you don't now what you're doing.because James is a very key player in the Europe.why you don't play with him,!!!🙂🤔
rajat_kundu
2
Yeah because James place is Medical Room.. He's been absent from there for quite a while