Everton star makes transfer admission amid reports
James Rodriguez has admitted that his future at Everton is uncertain following reports linking him with an exit.
Rodriguez, 30, was recruited last summer when Carlo Ancelotti was in charge, with the pair having maintained a close relationship following their time together at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Ancelotti, however, departed in June, accepting an offer from Real after just 18 months on Merseyside. He was replaced by Rafa Benitez.
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The upheaval has thrown the future of Rodriguez into doubt, with one report even suggesting the Colombian has been told to find a new club.
Speaking on his official Twitch channel, the playmaker admitted he remained in the dark over where he would be playing next season.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said.
“I don’t know, I don’t know where I’m going to play. You know that in football and in life you don’t know anything but all I know is that I’ve been training hard, preparing well, training for myself and that’s it.”
On the rumours that he could be heading back to Real, he added: “Are you going back to Real Madrid? No, I don’t think so.
“That is a closed cycle which I won’t repeat.”
Rodriguez struggled for consistency last season, notching just six goals and five assists.
He produced a handful of sublime performances but his campaign was disrupted by injuries, which restricted him to just 23 appearances.
Back in May, Richard Keys slammed him for his alleged lack of commitment to the club after he posted a photo of himself jetting off to Colombia – a day before Everton’s final game of the season against Manchester City.
“I see Everton’s talisman has got things other than the last critical day for his club on his mind. Still – at least he’s keeping warm with a blue blanket,” the former Sky Sports presenter said on Twitter.
Earlier that month, Keys had said in his personal blog: “He can’t run. If he could he wouldn’t.
“Play him right and he’s a liability. He won’t defend. Play him in the middle and players run round and off him.
“He’s only made 21 starts this season – playing 1,764 minutes – mostly in the sunshine. Come on Carlo. He’s taking the p***.”