Ancelotti showers praise on Rodriguez following Spurs clash
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has showered praise on James Rodriguez following his performance against Tottenham.
The Colombian playmaker started and played the duration against Spurs, using his silky touch and impressive technical ability to set the tempo for his side against Jose Mourinho’s men.
Despite his impressive showing the former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star didn’t contribute directly with a goal or an assist, although he did win Everton’s first-half penalty.
Talking after the game about the summer signing, Ancelotti was full of praise for the attacker, saying: “When he’s fit he’s always influential. I think he’s a player of another level.
“With the ball he’s fantastic, he always has a solution and he always has a good pass.
“He’s really important for us.”
Understated ability
James Rodriguez is an easy player to praise because he’s just so brilliant to watch.
Everton have never had a player as technically gifted as James before be became a Toffee last summer. The playmaker moves the ball with ease and grace, he squeezes passes through gaps that others can’t and he does it all so effortlessly, accurately described by The Athletic journalist Patrick Boyland as ‘superb‘.
An interesting comparison for James is Samuel Eto’o, another phenomenal player who joined Everton beyond his prime. Eto’o only ever showed glimpses of his ability while James, when fit, offers Everton his unfiltered quality in full.
James’ ability once again underscores the understated importance of Everton bringing Carlo Ancelotti to the club in December 2019, because by James’ own admission he only signed for the club because of the Italian.
Ancelotti’s influence and global pull is unparallel among previous Everton managers, and the longer he continues to improve the Blues while remaining on Merseyside, the more influence the club will have in the transfer market.
If Ancelotti can bring someone to Goodison Park this summer with even half as much technical talent as Rodriguez, Everton fans are in for a treat.
In other Everton news, Blues defender wanted by high-flying club but Brands sets £17m+ demand.
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