Former Everton Midfielder James Rodriguez Expresses Disappointment Over Departure

James Rodriguez, the Colombian midfielder, has publicly voiced his disappointment and frustration regarding his departure from Everton Football Club. In a recent interview, Rodriguez revealed that he was compelled to leave the club due to a lack of desire from then-manager Rafa Benitez to retain his services.

Rodriguez, who joined Everton in 2020, had initially expressed his enthusiasm for playing under Carlo Ancelotti, his former manager at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. However, following Ancelotti’s departure and Benitez’s appointment, Rodriguez found himself surplus to requirements.

“I never wanted to leave Everton, but the manager didn’t want me there,” Rodriguez stated. “I felt I could have played two or three more seasons at the club, but it’s clear the manager had other plans.”

The midfielder acknowledged the support he received from Everton’s fans, who had hoped he would remain at the club. Rodriguez expressed his regret over not having the opportunity to play in front of the Goodison Park faithful, citing the pandemic as a mitigating factor.

Despite his short tenure at Everton, Rodriguez reflected positively on his time at the club, highlighting the team’s strong start to the Premier League campaign and his own decent form during his spell.

Since his departure from Everton, Rodriguez has gone on to play for Al-Rayyan, Olympiacos, and Sao Paulo, before signing with Rayo Vallecano. He has also regained his position as captain of the Colombian national team, recently scoring in a victory over Argentina.

Rodriguez’s comments suggest a lingering sense of disappointment regarding his departure from Everton, with the midfielder seemingly still pondering what might have been had circumstances unfolded differently.