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Everton: James Rodriguez breaks silence over his injury absence and gives fitness update

By Parth Jhaveri

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: James Rodriguez of Everton comes off due to injury during the Premier League match between Everton and Fulham at Goodison Park on February 14, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jason Cairnduff - Pool/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: James Rodriguez of Everton comes off due to injury during the Premier League match between Everton and Fulham at Goodison Park on February 14, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jason Cairnduff - Pool/Getty Images) /
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The million-dollar question that Everton fans will have on their mind is when James Rodriguez will be completely fit and what is the injury that has kept him out of the field for three games in a row.

The Colombian arrived at Merseyside to reunite with Carlo Ancelotti after successful spells at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Rodriguez was a mega signing who would not only improve the Toffees on the field but would add a whole new marketing dimension by expanding bases in South America.

Everton has become everyone’s favourite club in Colombia, there are billboards of James in New York’s Times Square and shirt sales have gone over the roof. On the pitch, James has been an influential playmaking genius who has left Premier League viewers in awe since the day he has stepped onto the field in the royal blue jersey.

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On the field, the Colombian has been the creative lynchpin of the side capable of producing chances that no other playmaker in England would’ve been capable of. The 29 year old has five goals and eight assists in 21 games this term.

James Rodriguez has been a sublime player for Everton

What’s more striking is that he has registered 3.68 shot creating actions per 90 minutes and xA (expected assists) of 0.28 per 90 minutes (6th in the table). The former Real Madrid man has created 9 big chances so far, only behind the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son. (stats via FBref)

Data available helps us deduce that Rodriguez is the creative tank of the team. There was never a question about James’ abilities and imagination. The only pecking issue was his fitness and which has continued to haunt the Colombian this term.

The English Premier League continues to be a warzone that tests players’ physical limits. The English football is intense, animal and unforgiving. Doubts were cast on James’ fitness levels for the same reason because there have been enough evidence on players failing to adapt to the Premier League due to its intense nature.

James Rodriguez reveals injury and time left for recovery

Rodriguez has not been able to completely break the injury shackles as he continues to miss certain games due to knocks and niggles. The Colombian has missed or been rested for eight Premier League games as he battled injuries and discomforts. The 29 year old has finally given an update during one of his Twitch streams on his current injury and when he expects his recovery to complete.

"I had been coming for many months with a lot of discomfort, which did not let me be well. So, I had to stop for a few days, I have a couple more days left. Soon I will be playing, it is nothing serious, but I had to recover from all these discomforts, I had blows and everything. Soon I will be playing, it is nothing serious, but I had to recover from all these annoyances, I had blows and everything. (via Por el titu Deportes)"

https://twitter.com/CaracolDeportes/status/1370348425703739395

With the season end becoming a very crucial juncture for Everton in the race for top four, James needs to be completely fit and fresh to contribute on the pitch. With the Copa America also scheduled in the summer, Colombia’s favourite footballer wants to be ready for his national team too which is why a break was necessary.

"I want to finish the season well, because everything that comes at the end of March, April and May is very complicated. The America’s Cup too. So I want to be fine and that’s why I stopped a bit. Health is first and I’m going to be fine. (via Por el titu Deportes)"

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When the 29 year old is fit and firing, there are very few players on the planet who can match his quality. The critics that had written articles after articles about James’ slump and potential end after injury plagued and unproductive seasons in Madrid were now scrambling to delete those pieces and were left red faced. Rodriguez under Ancelotti is a phenomena that needs to be cherished and celebrated.