View: Everton need creative signings to ease pressure on Rodriguez
Everton are set to be without James Rodriguez when they face Aston Villa this evening, with the Colombian having also missed the club’s previous two games.
Since leaving Real Madrid in order to reunite with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti in the summer, James has missed 11 Premier League games through injury this season, soon to become 12 following tonight’s fixture.
The 29-year old has always missed games throughout his career, though it wouldn’t be accurate to describe the playmaker as prone to injury.
Everton have lacked James’ creative ingenuity on a number of occasions this season and it wouldn’t be unfair to say that his absence has single-handedly proved costly on at least a couple of occasions.
Perhaps it is unfair that Everton place such importance on one player’s fitness but unfortunately that just happens to be the case right now, with Rodriguez being a fundamental component in how Ancelotti approaches games.
The Toffees are now presented with a problem, as they face crucial games that could determine their European future, and they don’t have their chief creator. So how could they fix this issue in the long-run?
Fortunately the remedy for James’ physical condition is a simple one, yet Everton have to show that they are willing to put it into practice.
James needs rest and recovery, and he needs to have the ability to recover without also shouldering the responsibility of an entire club, which obviously puts pressure on his return date.
Should the Blues possess more creative outlets it would be easier for the former Madrid and Bayern Munich man to recover, because there wouldn’t be such an immediate need for his return.
That’s how Everton are best suited to deal with the issue that is James’ fitness record. They need to find more creative outlets in the transfer market that can support the Colombian, but also adequately replace him as he recovers from whatever problems might plague him.
Ancelotti’s offensive plans are too reliant on one player, and the Italian must focus his efforts on finding others who can have a similar impact, whether that is in an attacking wide position or more centrally as a playmaker.
James just needs time and rest to get over the issues that have made his debut season in the Premier League feel so stop-start, and Everton need to invest in the transfer market to ease the pressure that the player has so far been forced to contend with.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are reportedly willing to shell out £21m for 24y/o defender open to Everton switch.
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