James Rodriguez in isolation, will miss Everton v Southampton
Everton star James Rodriguez has been confirmed as missing for the Premier League opener v Southampton.
Rafa Benitez gets his stint underway at Goodison Park with fans returning to Merseyside after more than a year away.
The Colombian has had the door opened for him to leave this summer, but it was shared that he would be used if that didn’t happen.
Benitez spoke to the media on Friday morning, and confirmed that he will be without the South American.
After close contact with COVID-19, Rodriguez will be one of those stuck in isolation over the next week.
The Times journalist Paul Joyce shared the news on his personal Twitter account, as per Benitez at his press conference.
“Rafa Benitez says James Rodriguez is among the Everton players isolating due to Covid,” he wrote.
Convenient.
No matter how we think the future of Rodriguez will play out, he is a player who has the X-factor at Goodison Park.
The Colombian produced many moments of magic last season under Carlo Ancelotti and is still capable of doing that now.
Whether this means we have seen the last of James, it remains unknown, but that could very well be the case.
The likes of AC Milan have been strongly linked throughout the summer, and if they want to make a move, it could go down to deadline day.
One thing for certain now, is we will be without him tomorrow, and that is something Benitez will need to deal with.
In other Everton news, Pundit View: The Toffees are set to lose race for major signing this month
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