It has been three years since James Rodríguez left Everton after just one season at Goodison Park. His departure came only a year after the Colombian playmaker signed from Real Madrid, marking what initially seemed like a major coup for the Toffees.
Rodríguez’s tenure at Everton, though brief, was eventful. The midfielder made 26 appearances in all competitions, contributing six goals and eight assists.
His arrival was highly anticipated, but the departure of Carlo Ancelotti and the subsequent appointment of Rafael Benítez dramatically altered his prospects at the club.
Reflecting on his time at Everton in a recent interview with the club’s official YouTube channel, Rodríguez shared his honest feelings about leaving.
He revealed that he had envisioned staying at Goodison Park for another two or three years but was thwarted by Benítez’s arrival.
“Yes, I’ve spoken about this in interviews before and I didn’t want to leave the club, either. But the new manager had arrived, and we all know who that is, and he said that I wasn’t going to feature in his plans,” Rodríguez explained.
“I never wanted to leave, that much is obvious. I felt that I could have gone on to play two or three seasons more at the club. But it’s plain to see that the manager said that he wouldn’t be wanting me to be involved at all.”
Rodríguez also touched on the support he received from Everton fans.
“The supporters wanted me to stay, and so did I. But in the end, that’s just football for you. What happened then is now all in the past, but it was a real shame because I believed that I could have gone on to achieve more in my time at Everton football club.”
Since leaving Everton, Rodríguez has had a tumultuous career, moving to Qatar and then joining his fourth club in three years. His journey highlights the challenges faced by many players trying to find stability.
For Everton, the absence of a player like Rodríguez has been keenly felt. The team’s struggles this season have been evident, with the Blues sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table after three games.
The lack of a creative spark in midfield, particularly during the recent defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, has exacerbated their woes.
Rodríguez’s vision and playmaking ability might have provided much-needed support to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and potentially transformed Everton’s fortunes this season.
It’s clear that Benítez’s decision to move on from the Colombian has had lasting repercussions, and the Toffees might be regretting the loss of such a talented player.
As Everton continue to grapple with their poor start to the season, one can’t help but wonder how different things might have been with Rodríguez still in the fold, orchestrating play and bridging the gap between defence and attack.