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Premier League Is the Best Fit for James Rodriguez, but Which Club?
- Updated: December 22, 2016
The career of James Rodriguez feels almost like a case study in the life of a gifted South American player—in the way it should work out and in the ways in which it can go wrong.
He started out with second-division Colombian club Envigado, whom he helped to promotion and, off the back of that, got a move to Banfield in Argentina. There, he attracted the attention of FC Porto’s ever-alert South American scouts and moved to Portugal.
After three impressive years switched to AS Monaco, a wealthier club who could offer a higher salary. That his agent, Jorge Mendes, is well-connected at both Porto and Monaco oiled the wheels.
A superb World Cup in 2014, in which he won the Golden Boot with six goals—including a brilliant dipping volley against Uruguay—propelled Rodriguez into the realm of superstardom. And when he told Marca of his dream of joining Real Madrid, his next move was obvious. Sure enough, the transfer took place for €80 million that July.
Having climbed the mountain, though, Rodriguez has found the past two-and-a-half seasons a little frustrating. Madrid still have a tendency to act like an overenthusiastic guest at a buffet, piling up their plate with little thought of how each dish—sumptuous though they may be individually—will work together.
In a squad packed with stars, he has struggled to make an impression.
With Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale an obvious front three, there’s no real place for Rodriguez. He’s a playmaker or a second striker, perhaps a forward who can drift in from wide: He’s versatile, but he’s not a midfielder comfortable playing in a three—or at least not against opposition who will make him defend.
Recently, with Bale injured, Madrid have opted for a 4-2-3-1. That would seem to open a position for the Colombia international, but Isco has been preferred as the central creator with Lucas or Marco Asensio on the right. This season, he’s played only 377 minutes of league football.
Through no real fault of his own, Rodriguez has found himself sidelined. This is a side-effect of the stockpiling that afflicts the global game in the era of the super-clubs. His frustration …
