JAMES RODRIGUEZ ADMITS he does not know where he will be playing club football next season but insists he is fully focused on Colombia’s Copa America campaign.
The playmaker spent the last two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich but returned to Santiago Bernabeu at the end of last term following the Bundesliga champions’ decision not to exercise an option to sign him for €42 million.
James’ career has stalled somewhat in recent years and he only featured in 20 league games for Bayern in 2018-19, scoring seven goals and making three assists.
Despite signing for Real in 2014 in a deal worth €90 million after he won the Golden Boot at the Brazil World Cup, James is now looking for a route out of the Spanish capital in order to get more regular game time.
The 27-year-old concedes he is powerless over his future at the moment though.
“Right now I’m only thinking about the Copa America,” Rodriguez said after Colombia’s 1-0 win over Paraguay on Sunday.
“I still don’t know where I’ll go but I want to be calm. The decision depends on the club [Real Madrid].
There are people with a lot of power there, I can’t do much. I haven’t spoken with Zidane.”
James has been heavily linked with a move to Napoli that would see him reunited with Carlo Ancelotti, who he worked with at both Real and Bayern, this summer.
Azzurri midfielder Fabian Ruiz added fuel to that speculation by insisting earlier this month that James would be welcomed by the squad in Naples.
Real are reportedly keen to get the former Monaco star off their books in order to free up funds to make further transfers this summer, having already brought in Eden Hazard from Chelsea.
But James will first see out Colombia’s Copa America campaign before linking up with any club side.
Carlos Queiroz’s side cruised through the group stage with maximum points, beating Argentina in their in a dominant opening-game 2-0 win.
The Albiceleste managed a 2-0 victory over Qatar in their final Group B fixture on Sunday to also book their place in the quarter-final.
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Lisandro Martinez all day long.
@Brian Dunne: they don’t even have him on the bench… Unbelievable ha
@Brian Dunne: very good player but being part of a back 4 that conceded 3 against villa, 6 against city and 4 against Brentford probably negates it.
@Brian Dunne: united have taken some wallopings this season with Martinez at the back. 6 against City, was taken off at half time when they were 4 nil down at Brentford etc. Couldn’t have him near it if your being honest with your selection
@Brian Dunne: I think the jury are still out on him a bit, the defence looks weak when Varane isn’t there. I said before that United first 11 are good but when there’s any changes made at all they are exposed and it’s like watching last season again.
Alisson best GK by far. Xhaka ahead of Silva.
The state of this.
Trossard ahead of saka all day long on form this season.
Oh dear those numbers on that team image would haunt me. Get Haaland in the 9, get the right and left fulls in 2, 3. Get Rodri in 6, wingers 7 and 11. I can’t be the only one bugged by that numbering.
@Lorcan O’Toole: Guessing you were never a fan of watching El Shaawary or Ballotelli then…
Granit Xhaka has had a great season to date so id include him instead of rodri possibly
@Justin Flynn: very under the radar. He’s been excellent. Looks like he’s got them moments of stupidity out of his game also.
5 players from Man City, 4 from Newcastle, and only 2 from Arsenal. Remind me again, who is top of the league, and have been for quite a while?
Dalot at Right Full Back
@Lord Lurgan: jesus
@Darren Fitzpatrick: he is a striker
1.Haaland 2..Haaland ,3 Haaland 4.
No. As a man city fan I can say Cancelo and Rodri have been far from their best and should be nowhere near this team.
Where’s Harry Maguire???FFS!
@John Arsey: on the beach or the bench.
@John Arsey: in Cheshire
No Alisson… scandalous
@Damien Leen: lol
Every time I hear or read salibas name “tequila” automatically plays in my mind
@Pol Mlp: this makes me happy.
Saka and Almiron shouldn’t be in there. Saka has been good but not amazing. Martinelli and Odegaard have been just as good. Their combination is the reason for arsenals good season rather than any of them individually. Almiron has been good the last few weeks but he was nowhere to found the first 8-10 games. Kane and Salah should be in there. Spurs and Liverpool would be nowhere near where they are without them
Ah stop would ya!! No mention of Martin Odegaard?!