James Rodriguez brought an end to his six-year stay at Real Madrid in the summer as he reunited with Carlo Ancelotti at Everton, and the Italian coach has recognised how keen the Colombian playmaker was to be playing regularly again.
The 29-year-old had fallen out of favour under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid and found game time hard to come back in his final season at the club, which prompted him to seek a departure.
Ancelotti has admitted that James wanted a new challenge, and he believes that he has found that in Everton.
"First of all, he wanted to find a club where he could play more frequently compared to Real Madrid," Ancelotti said to Tim Howard in a chat for NBC Sports.
"He had times at Real Madrid where he didn't play a lot. He wanted a new challenge, was desperate to play, and I think he found the right place, because he knows me, I know him... The club wants to improve, the club has a big project.
"I think that he found the right place to show his quality and, of course, the player is really, really talented; he doesn't miss a pass, he doesn't miss a control, he doesn't miss a shot. He doesn't play complicated football, he plays simple."
Since joining the Premier League side, James has scored three goals and provided four assists in eight games in all competitions.
BENYAZZSWAGGER
0
Who isn't desperate to play? Specially if you are a RM player.
isco
BENYAZZSWAGGER
0
Yes cos Madrid is bigger than he still do
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real Madrid is a place where James can shine but becoz of idioticness of zz
BENYAZZSWAGGER
0
Odegaard is gonna be a new James under Zidane..! The system Zidane uses doesn't require a CAM role..!! Zidane like to have a player in front of his back four.. so he uses CDM and two CM. James is a CAM so he didn't fit into it when he was at Madrid. And if Odegaard wanna succeed under Zidane he must play a versatile role maybe on the Right Wing or CM, something which James wasn't able to do.!! that's why James's move to RM didn't turned magical under Zizou.!!
never he cant be new James
BENYAZZSWAGGER
0
Past tense statement by Ancelotti He was given the opportunity to perform in real Madrid by zidane but failed. Hopefully he can play for Everton, so use him.
can you prove your self in 5 minets thats you are a star
Dodcampns
0
That doesn’t change the fact that Zidane personally requested him
It’s probably due to the fact we keep having injured in the midfield and need to rotate a lot more.
NiranjanThosar
0
That doesn’t change the fact that Zidane personally requested him
😂😂 yeah ik. he won't succeed in that CAM role if he opts to do just that.. that's all I said
Cimemrsuy
9
James really loved Real Madrid. Had it not been for Zidane, he could have still been at Madrid.
Dimdpsuy
0
unfortunately he was not good enough
Imposible
0
but he doesn't fit in anywhere in Zidane's lineup.. he used to play at CAM in a 4-2-3-1 at Sociedad.! Real would never opt for that formation as there is no one to play along side Casemiro in that second CDM spot..!!
That doesn’t change the fact that Zidane personally requested him
Vendiknprt
1
Past tense statement by Ancelotti He was given the opportunity to perform in real Madrid by zidane but failed. Hopefully he can play for Everton, so use him.
NiranjanThosar
0
Zidane personally requested odegaard to come back.
but he doesn't fit in anywhere in Zidane's lineup.. he used to play at CAM in a 4-2-3-1 at Sociedad.! Real would never opt for that formation as there is no one to play along side Casemiro in that second CDM spot..!!
Imposible
0
Odegaard is gonna be a new James under Zidane..! The system Zidane uses doesn't require a CAM role..!! Zidane like to have a player in front of his back four.. so he uses CDM and two CM. James is a CAM so he didn't fit into it when he was at Madrid. And if Odegaard wanna succeed under Zidane he must play a versatile role maybe on the Right Wing or CM, something which James wasn't able to do.!! that's why James's move to RM didn't turned magical under Zizou.!!
Zidane personally requested odegaard to come back.
NiranjanThosar
4
Odegaard is gonna be a new James under Zidane..! The system Zidane uses doesn't require a CAM role..!! Zidane like to have a player in front of his back four.. so he uses CDM and two CM. James is a CAM so he didn't fit into it when he was at Madrid. And if Odegaard wanna succeed under Zidane he must play a versatile role maybe on the Right Wing or CM, something which James wasn't able to do.!! that's why James's move to RM didn't turned magical under Zizou.!!
Phamarcy
5
Yes cos Madrid is bigger than he still do
Seedy9
1
while real board was desperate to sell him or to Everton
uno_boy
3
Some players all they live and fight for is football, not because it's the only option but because its their passion and it runs through their veins. They live for the moment and they treasure football💯⚽️
standard123
1
but wasn't good enough when he was given d chance ,see jovic isco bale Marcelo if Zidane start benching dem media will still say rubbish when Zidane uses dem media will still blame Zidane for using dem media is just annoying some players don't deserve to play in d club
kabuakweteyprosper
1
Who isn't desperate to play? Specially if you are a RM player.
was bale desperate?
kabuakweteyprosper
1
whiles Zidan was desperate to loan him off 🤣🤣🤣
ishti
1
Who isn't desperate to play? Specially if you are a RM player.
GameKing17
1
James ever