Gabby Agbonlahor suggests behind-the-scenes issues at Everton between Benitez and Rodriguez
Gabby Agbonlahor suggests there are divisions between Rafa Benitez and James Rodriguez after the Everton playmaker was left out of the squad v Aston Villa.
Everton were without a host of key first-team players for the trip to Villa Park on Saturday, with Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison all ruled out of the clash, which the Blues lost 3-0.
Intriguingly, despite confirming this week that Rodriguez was in training, Benitez opted to leave the Colombian out of his squad versus the Villains, despite failing to name a full bench.
“There’s something going on behind the scenes,” Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT [18/09/21] after the Blues lost on Saturday.
“Who are we to judge Benitez?
“But, hopefully, he [Rodriguez] can work a bit harder in training maybe and get back involved because maybe this was the sort of game today where he could have brought him on to make a difference, he’s got that quality.
“But Premier League managers won’t play you if you don’t do the hard running.”
Big snub
Rodriguez has not played a competitive game of football since May 16, in a 1-0 loss to Sheffield United, so perhaps Benitez could feel justified in leaving him out for fitness reasons.
But 20-year-old forward Ellis Simms, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Blackpool, was named on the bench at Villa Park, despite only returning to training this week following a prolonged absence that saw him sidelined over the summer.
Therefore, how can Rodriguez’s absence be justified for any other reason than because of behind-the-scenes issues between him and Benitez?
Surely, if the Spaniard has any designs on bringing him back into the first-team fold, then he would at least be handed a place on the bench, just to fill up a space and to make him feel involved?
This was an ominous sign, and Rodriguez faces a tough fight to get back to action for the Blues.
Perhaps the midweek League Cup trip to QPR will offer him a chance, though.
In other Everton news, Blues player reacts after Aston Villa star issues written apology.
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