James Rodriguez: Epl’s New Prince

James Rodriguez first came to everyone’s attention when Sir Alex Ferguson attempted to sign him for Manchester United. Reports over figures are shoddy but Fc Porto felt what was offered never reflected James’s value. After winning 3 consecutive Primeira Liga titles and other cups with Porto (8 trophies in total), he moved to AS Monaco. He established himself as one of the best young players in the world. He would make the Ligue 1 best xi for the 2013/2014 season. James was becoming a household football name. The event that would leave his name etched in our memories was just around the corner. At the 2014 edition of the World Cup, if you didn’t already know him, you could not forget the dainty, fleet-footed magician that mazed through defensive blocks set up against Colombia. Radamel Falcao could not get fit in time for the tournament so it was up to James and co to do the job without their talisman. The squad boasted some decent players in Jackson Martinez, Carlos Bacca, Adrian Ramos, Fredy Guarin, Juan Cuadrado, Pablo Armero, Christian Zapata, Camilo Zuniga, Juan Quintero and Mario Yepes. They also possessed solid tactical grounding under Jose Pekerman even though their journey was cut short by hosts Brazil in the quarter-finals. All this, but it was James Rodriguez who stole the show.

The glue at the center of everything being done at that World Cup was James. His slick playmaking, conducting, movement and guile made him one of the most exciting players at the tournament. He connected midfield to attack with wiry elegance, spinning away from tackles and searing defenses with line-breaking passes. In the first match, he delivered two assists and scored a goal as Colombia wrapped up a 3-0 victory against Greece. For the goal, he drifted in from right after a quick freekick caught the European’s napping and he fizzed one past the goalkeeper. In the second game, he leapt over Didier Drogba to steer home Juan Cuadrado’s corner and against Japan – this time drifting in from the left – he would dash aggressively into the space behind the defense. In two twists he left a recovering defender dazzled as he tore him inside and outside before lofting a deft chip over the keeper. But the moment he would be known for was in the round of 16 match against Uruguay. In the 28^th minute, he picked a spot in the sweet center in front of the Uruguayan defense. As the headed pass came out to him, Diego Godin, captain and rock at the heart of a resilient defense would hesitate stepping up from his defensive line to block whatever James had in mind. He did not doubt what the great commentator would describe as a combination of ability and audacity of James Rodriguez. The Colombian was just too fast in vision and execution, swiveling to blast one past a hapless Muslera. My word this boy is a star Peter Drury announced. He knew it, we knew it. One other person knew it. Florentino Perez.

Barely a year after his move to AS Monaco, he was on the move to Real Madrid who had made it a habit of picking up the best players at World Cup tournaments. The charming James took his bedazzling gifts to Madrid, replacing Angel Di Maria who was departing for Manchester United. James was one of the best players in the league, registering 13 goals and 13 assists. His debut season in Madrid was a success on the pitch but didn’t bring the trophies, but the next one did. He would win 2 consecutive UCL titles with Madrid before departing for a 2-year loan with Bayern Munich. In the 15/16 season, he played significantly less than his 29 league games from the first season (17 starts, 26 total) but managed 7 goals and 8 assists while creating 12 big chances. He started even less league games in the 16/17 season, he started 13 and played in a total of 22. James still scored 8 goals and assisted 6 while creating 6 big chances. He made paltry contributions to the UCL titles as Zinedine Zidane made it obvious he did not fancy him.

He spent the 17/18 season on loan to Bayern Munich where his playing time picked up and he contributed to the league title with 7 goals, 11 assists and created 14 big chances. Ancelotti had brought him to Germany but would depart by September with Jupp Heyneckes taking over. Jupp returned with his customary 4231 formation and found a role for James behind Robert Lewandowski. They exited the Champions League after losing 4-3 on aggregate to Real Madrid (James true to football cliché scored in the second leg of the tie). His second season in Germany was hampered by injuries and inconsistency but he still scored 7, assisted 3 and created 8 big chances. The Bayern hierarchy tried to keep hold of his talents but he was desperate to make it at Madrid. His enthusiasm for Madrid was not repaid as he suffered his worst season since turning professional. He started only 5 games in the league and played a grand total of 8. He scored 1 goal, delivered one assist while creating just 4 big chances.

Carlo Ancelotti now heads the project on the blue side of Merseyside – his premier acquisition being the Colombian. His vision, his passing, and his dazzling quick feet will be a weapon for the Italian. Everton always look to be on the cusp of something. They have been on the cusp of that greatness but never quite touched it for years now. Years of serviceability under David Moyes helped them stay in the upper numbers of the Premier League table, even earning fourth place in the 04/05 season. When Roberto Martinez, the thoughtful, tinkering Spanish manager who had just relegated Wigan Athletic but secured the FA Cup title arrived, there was optimism. Another 5^th place finish was the answer but he would finish 11^th in the next 2 seasons. He was sacked towards the end of the third one (left the team in 12^th place). Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce and Marco Silva have all tried to take the team beyond their averageness, but to no avail. Duncan Ferguson and David Unsworth with their limited time in between. Carlo Ancelotti with his revered CV looks the best man to give the team that managerial push.

Everton have made some stellar signings during this window and combined with the talents of Lucas Digne, Richarlison & Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they may finally escape their embalmment of mediocrity. Key to this happening will be James. His playmaking and vision will be key to unlocking the true potency of that front two. While a lot of people expected him to pop up at the midfield tip of Ancelotti’s famed 4312 Christmas tree formation, he played on the right of a 4231. Not that it mattered though. He sizzled up and down the right-hand side with his verve. He was effervescent, making 3 interceptions and 2 tackles despite only a few days of training. He also created one big chance and made 5 key passes. James picked up those half spaces, manipulated the ball with grace, and constantly picked out teammates on the opposite side. One particular shot which presented itself for him had Hugo Lloris scrambling to his right. With consistency at a high level, it will be interesting to see that star shine again. There is a Nigerian colloquialism “e still dey for body”. It is mostly used when an individual who is good at a particular craft does not perform the craft anymore or at that level and when he returns to that thing and delivers so well, we say “e still dey for body”. From his performance against Tottenham on Sunday, you could tell e still dey for James body. Let us hope he finds that form that led Peter Drury to scream those words in delight.