Alan Myers: Rodriguez wanted to leave Everton before Ancelotti
James Rodriguez wanted to leave Everton before Carlo Ancelotti’s sudden exit in the summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Alan Myers.
The 30-year-old Colombian international midfielder left the Toffees on Wednesday after one season, and he has joined Qatari side Al-Rayyan.
Rodriguez reunited with Ancelotti at Goodison Park last summer from Real Madrid, and it was widely believed that the Italian’s departure triggered his willingness to leave.
However, he would have left before the Madrid manager did if he had his way.
Myers wrote on Sky Sports website: “Ancelotti left very suddenly to go to Real Madrid and now James has departed after one season, in which he made 23 Premier League appearances, scored six goals and recorded four assists.
“Those two exits aren’t connected. From what I am told, James had already decided that he didn’t want to continue playing at Everton before Ancelotti’s announcement. He was unhappy and would have liked to have left sooner.
“Since new manager Rafa Benitez has come in – and with James effectively frozen out of the side – there was speculation that James didn’t fit into his plans. I’m pretty certain that wasn’t the case. The one person I wouldn’t blame at all in all of this is Benitez.
“Benitez wants people committed to the club and he knew straight off that this player wanted to go – and if that’s the case, he has to move on. Benitez hasn’t got time to see if he could talk him around. Don’t forget Benitez has come in under huge pressure as well.”
Wow
Myers knows his onions when it comes to Everton matters, and the new revelation from him has shed light on a lot of things.
Many reckoned Rodriguez wanted out mainly because of Ancelotti’s exit and Benitez’s arrival, but he most likely would have still left had the Italian remained or another manager succeeded him.
Both managers have played no role in his exit, and it is good to know that he was not forced out of Merseyside.
This was a project that did not work in the end despite the early promising signs, and the club will be learning a lot from it.
The Blues made the South American the highest earner in their history just to satisfy Ancelotti, but that eventually backfired.
Marcel Brands and Farhad Moshiri will hopefully make better decisions next time, and given how much the club have wasted since the Iranian businessman took over, some things need to change.
Rodriguez failed to meet everyone’s expectations, and Everton will think twice before making their next marquee signing.
In other Everton news, BBC pundit has claimed a mini disaster could be on the cards at Goodison Park.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.