One of the disadvantages of being a superstar at a top club is that there are other superstars just as super as you but probably superior or there is a manager whose tactics suits other superstars than you and you finally end up at the bench for large stretches of the season despite your super talent.
In the case of Colombian James Rodriguez, he is a star in the making blessed with special left foot but difficulties with coaches and other unexposed issues has left the Colombian far below the standards everyone expected from him in the days of his humble beginning. This was a player that lit the 2014 world cup with Colombia. Scoring six goals in the process and wining the golden ball award. James would later end up at Real Madrid after the tournament ended and go on to oversee a successful first season career under then coach, Carlo Ancelotti, scoring goals and creating special assists.
James seemed to continue with his good form even with the exit of Ancelotti and the recruitment of Rafael Benitez until he was struck by an injury. His absence brought the talent of central/defensive midfielder Casemiro to the light. Benitez would go on to utilize the full potentials of Casemiro and even with the return of James, fans called out the Brazilian’s name more. Zidane would replace Benitez in the managerial seat and continued with the midfield partnership of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.
It got to a point rumours began to arise regarding to the situation of James. Rumours pointing to the exit door from the team for the Colombian, a waste of £80 Million James would later be released on loan to Bayern Munich because the club couldn’t bear parting with the Colombian at a loss. At Bayern James apparently worked his socks off to prove to the world that he still got it up there. He went ahead to score against Real Madrid when both Bayern and Real Madrid clashed in the Uefa Champions League knockout stages.
It was a surprise to me how Bayern blatantly refused to make the loan deal for James Rodriguez permanent and after watching the Colombian’s amazing return to Real Madrid, the exact reason Bayern Munich rejected a permanent deal still eludes me.
James has surprisingly racked up a huge number of minutes under Zinedine Zidane this season. It can be attached to the fact that there are injured players who are obviously Zidane’s first choice and with their return, James will be relegated to the bench once again.
Watching James play in the Madrid shirt has enjoyed so many fans not just me. He has become very hardworking and resourceful. Even Zidane noticed his zeal and has handed him minutes when there is an opportunity but there is a current situation which has increased my fear for the state of James at the team and that is the discovery of Fede Valverde.
The midfield option is currently much and the Real Madrid system is supposed to be set up in a way that defensive tactic is prioritized because of the attacking mindset if every player in the team. This automatically makes James a B team player in important matches and as the team gets into its crucial stages, every match becomes important. As it stands, Valverde is likely to be considered before James in the starting line up and this further pushes the Colombian down the pecking order. James will have to put on supernatural boots and perform wonders to prove to Zidane that he is irreplaceable.
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