Elliott Cuff

Sat 1 May 2021 17:45, UK

Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly concerned that the arrival of Barcelona attacker Philippe Coutinho at Everton could upset James Rodriguez.

According to a report from Marca earlier this week, the Blues are keen on taking advantage of Barcelona’s financial troubles in order to sign former Liverpool star Coutinho.

Everton are said to be willing to shell out a fee of around £35million in order to bring the Brazil international to Goodison Park once the summer transfer window opens.

However according to journalist Ian McGarry of the Transfer Window Podcast, Ancelotti is concerned that Coutinho’s arrival would disturb Everton’s superstar playmaker James.

Speaking on his podcast, McGarry said: “He has been marketed by his agent Kia Joorabchian to find him a club where he would play regular football and get back to the form that saw him rated amongst the world’s top players when he was at Liverpool.

“Everton doesn’t seem like the most obvious fit, and it’s our information at the Transfer Window Podcast that Carlo Ancelotti, while happy to have the player at Goodison Park, is slightly concerned that it will upset the player that he brought in and the player he has encouraged and persuaded to move to Merseyside, James Rodriguez.”

Curious development

Presumably, James would become upset if Everton signed Coutinho because the Brazilian could potentially steal his starting spot at Goodison Park, or because he may steal the Colombian’s spotlight.

However, from the club’s perspective, you can never have enough of a good thing.

Everton are trying to built their squad to the point where the club can become a force to be reckoned with, and adding more top quality talent like the “genius” Coutinho would certainly help to propel them in the right direction.

Both James and Coutinho can play out wide, as both have done many times in the past, so there shouldn’t be an issue with having them both in the same team.

Ultimately it comes down to what Everton want in the transfer market, and that is an influx of creativity and genuine pedigree, and James shouldn’t be in any position to stop that.

Coutinho was a phenomenal player during his time at Liverpool, and it remains to be seen whether he could have the same impact for Everton, but if the Toffees are keen on bringing him to Merseyside then they should press ahead with that move regardless of the personal feelings of James Rodriguez.

In other Everton news, View: Ancelotti to give 29y/o ace full Blues PL debut – 3 things to look for in clash v Villa.

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