James Rodríguez has not been the protagonist of football news again. Not within a playing field. His have been phrases he has said on Twitch, the cancellations of Selección Colombia, a passing market frustrated by the lack of interest from other clubs, and the resignation to stay at Everton even though his coach Rafa Benítez does not. has as its first choice.
And is that next Thursday, September 16, James will turn 4 months without playing an official match. Since May 16, in the 0-1 defeat to Sheffield United (36th Premier League date), the Colombian has not played for Everton. Not to mention that the Colombia National Team has not played since November 17, 2020, when it lost 6-1 to Ecuador, in Quito, for the 2022 Qualifiers in Qatar.
James’ figures are sad and disappointing, they are also worrying.
Everton has already completed 6 consecutive official matches without James, Counting the 3-1 win over Burnley this Monday, in which Yerry Mina stood out in the match and in the 4th round of the Premier League. In total, they are 121 days without officially playing for the ‘toffees’.
The Colombia National Team seems to miss him a little too, at least in terms of results and time without having him in their ranks: they are already 12 matches, all from the Reinaldo Rueda cycle, with James Rodríguez absent; there have been 4 wins, 6 draws and only 2 defeats …It’s been 300 days without playing for the Colombia National Team.
When would James play Everton and the National Team again?
Next Tuesday, September 21, Everton will play the English League Cup (Carabao Cup) against Queens Park Rangers, and in this match is expected rotation in the payroll and a chance for Rafa Benitez for James Rodriguez.
For its part, the Colombia team will have a triple date of the World Cup qualifiers in October, facing Uruguay (visiting), Brazil (local) and Ecuador (local), on the 7th, 10th and 14th of this month. James, who has already fixed his situation with Reinaldo Rueda, could be called up again, as long as he has no injury problems.