Rob Lee opposes new Everton contract for James Rodriguez
Former Premier League midfielder Rob Lee is against the idea of Everton offering a new contract to summer signing James Rodriguez.
Lee believes that Rodriguez hasn't done enough this season to merit a new deal and believes there won't be any serious interest for him this summer.
There had been recent reports suggesting that Director of Football Marcel Brands was determined to extend the Colombian's contract this summer.
Rodriguez, who's registered six goals and four assists in 22 Premier League games, has had a few moments of brilliance but hasn't set the competition alight just yet.
Speaking to Football FanCast, Lee said, "He’s only been there a year so I don’t know why they would give him a new contract and will there be loads of clubs wanting him after the season he’s had?
"He’s been really good sometimes and then not great other times.
“I don’t understand football clubs but he’s obviously a very good player. If I was the club I’d be telling him to play well next season and we’ll reward you with a new contract.”
What's the hurry?
There's no debating his quality, as Real Madrid legend Fernando Morientes rightly pointed out last year. In an interview with AS, he said, "We are talking about an extraordinary player, legendary for Colombia, for his team."
However, we're in Lee's corner here. Offering a contract after less than 12 months to a new signing just because of his name recognition is not a precedent we want to set as a club.
If we're heading in the direction we want to under Carlo Ancelotti we'll be signing more James-esque players, and giving them new deals could affect the wage structure we have in place.
James signed on an initial two-year deal in the summer and there is an option for a third year.
That's what makes Brands' hurry about it all the more confusing. It's not like James is going to be on the shortlist of many top clubs in the summer, and it seems like he enjoys a good working relationship with the manager.