I'm glad he's doing well 
James Rodriguez | Al Rayyan Giggs Player
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Its funny to watch how some people cant just take it.
I just think most people had a refrigerated opinion that didn’t even belong to James specifically - it belonged to a profile, and could be substituted with a Bastian, Di Maria etc, just players whose career was at a similar situation. I am convinced that nobody had objectively been watching him and concluded he was no longer good. It’s just lazy microwaved footy opinions. He was a victim of generally not having a key/fixed role at a top club for a few years. Never a victim of playing poorly.
James is pure class, and behind only Messi and maybe Ozil as the greatest final third passer of his generation IMO. And one of the best goalscoring #10s of the same period too. Pure 10s that is.
I said he was going to flop in the summer but I’ve had him in my FPL team since the second week. He’s doing great. Worth the big money I’m sure he’s paid. Can he keep it going over the whole season? Is he injury prone? Everton have recruited really well this summer.
How did Everton get him? Surprised a 'bigger' club like Spurs, Inter, Roma or Napoli didn't sign him. But anyway he has been brilliant for Everton.
Form is temporary, class is permanent. Sometimes its just about the right player being in the right environment.
Great player on his day and its nice to see him have an indian summer of sorts after the last few years.
Great player on his day and its nice to see him have an indian summer of sorts after the last few years.
Carlo signed him for Madrid so he probably wanted to play for him.
He was always a great player just in the wrong set up at Real. He is going to create lot of trouble and with Calvert-Levin and Richarlison up front they are going to be a nightmare.
Ancelotti
The importance of having a manager with a reputation. Things might have gone south for Ancelotti at Bayern but his reputation remains.
If it's any comfort, just know he wouldn't be playing like he currently is under our setup.
I just happen to goto that transfer thread and its pure BS comments. Just enjoy reading them
FF, FIFA, PES generations.
Players in there are programmed. It doesn't reflect real life where there is much more factors affecting players.
Wanted him here when he was available for loan years back.
If James is at Leeds, Biesla could have made him a better player.
You can say a lot about players but manager is the most key and he can make difference.
See how Ancelotti addressed their weak areas and started getting the best out of all // Same goes to Brendon at L'cester.
You can say a lot about players but manager is the most key and he can make difference.
See how Ancelotti addressed their weak areas and started getting the best out of all // Same goes to Brendon at L'cester.
I was hoping we would sign him, and I was told he was an older high paid player. Irony
He looks class. Can take a hit too, Brighton tried to kick him off the park.
So glad he's doing good under Ancelotti, class player.
He didnt play like this for the last 4 years...
Jupp Heynckes disagreed.
Jupp Heynckes: "James Rodriguez is a God-send, but he can play better!"
The quality of the manager is the most important thing at a football club. Considering Sir Alex worked absolute miracles with so many players, you would think that we understand that better than most.
He played well at Bayern. A lot of our fans are far too arrogant with our signings. Similar to Dembele, failing at other top clubs does not mean that a player is bad. Especially when you can see the rotational dysfunction or poor fit. For example, Real signed James when Kroos signed. They already had Isco and Modric. They ended up playing a 433 with arguably the best midfield in the world at the time. James is a classic no.10, even though he can play on the flanks ( in which he prefers the left which was Ronaldo's position), playing on the right at times suited him less than Isco or Asensio. In additon, Bale was already the main guy in that role. Yet somehow he was deemed a failure and not good enough for United.
Dembele, similar scenario. Played his best at Dortmund from the right flank. Goes to Barca where messi plays there. Not only is that the problem, but the team plays a style that doesn't allow for lots of dribbling, rather focusing on forward runs than drives, which isn't a skill dembele had developed. Due to not caring about development and also having a lot of options, they did not feel the need to play him into form. Furthermore, his injuries occured which derailed him. Wrong club, bad timing of injuries. Yet today, you have people bashing the fact that we did not sign either sneijder or robben after they "flopped" at Madrid.
Dembele, similar scenario. Played his best at Dortmund from the right flank. Goes to Barca where messi plays there. Not only is that the problem, but the team plays a style that doesn't allow for lots of dribbling, rather focusing on forward runs than drives, which isn't a skill dembele had developed. Due to not caring about development and also having a lot of options, they did not feel the need to play him into form. Furthermore, his injuries occured which derailed him. Wrong club, bad timing of injuries. Yet today, you have people bashing the fact that we did not sign either sneijder or robben after they "flopped" at Madrid.
The poor just made a poor decision to join Madrid. They already had Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema.
Better than Bruno.
Last two seasons didn't really work for him but he's always been class. No reason why James couldn't be one of PL's best players for next 3-4 years.
And would be nice to finally see Isco in PL as well.
And would be nice to finally see Isco in PL as well.
Taking him long enough to prove it given the hype he got after the WC. Good player but wait a while before you start saying he's better than this and that.
I wasn't sure he could motivate himself playing for Everton. I was very wrong, looks revitalized. Class player.
That’s very true.
He’s proven it years ago. Check his records ‘after the World Cup’. People talk about ‘early days’, yet Bruno was elevated above a proven top class performer after probably about 15 games. He’s not some seasoned top class pro himself, he’s new to this level.
Despite James only playing about 4 PL games, he’s already scored more goals from open play than Bruno has, and has shown a higher level of passing and creativity too.
Not to shit on Bruno, James is better than a lot of other number 10s, but it has been established many many years ago that James was in a bracket of player that I don’t think Bruno has established himself in yet. And we talk about the past, there isn’t even THAT many years between them. Isn’t James just like 3 years older? It isn’t like Bruno is just starting his career as a 20 year old while James is 29 living off the glory days. In the most glorious of days, Bruno was a senior pro himself, and was a journeyman who you have probably never heard of before he turned 24.
Weird comment. He proved it at Porto.
Yes but I think that's down to having an experienced world class coach
Bossing the league.
And not the fact that he’s always scored plenty of goals from the 10 position? Or always shown an excellent passing range? Was Gylfi doing the same last season under Carlo?
I don’t see why he doesn’t qualify for all the same ‘lifted the whole club’, ‘transformed the team’ adjectives that Bruno received. Why was Ole not getting praise for his coaching? James seems to have put at least 4 on a plate for DCL. That’s making him play better no? Everton had been in free-fall towards the end of last season, and they have been transformed since James joined.
4wiw, I think it’s ridiculous to attribute the upturn to one player, just pointing out the parallels and inconsistencies.
do you even watch games other than Man Utd? I wonder.
Why’s an Arsenal fan lecturing me on a Utd forum?
Friendly reminder that this lad is absolute BOSS. The delivery for the Richarlison chance and a few other moments in the game were effortless. He's ridiculously talented and I still can't believe everyone else bypassed him.
Feels like he's on another stratosphere to anything I've ever seen at Everton. I must admit I never realised he was this talented. I still can't believe he plays for us.
You two should get a room!
not the first player to fail at Madrid. Glad he’s in the PL.
not the first player to fail at Madrid. Glad he’s in the PL.
He’s got “tails off horrifically” written all over him, but it’s lovely watching him play right now.
He's started brilliantly and he's the kind of player that can elevate a whole team. Loving watching Everton this season they've been very entertaining and James has played a huge part in that.
I'll tell you one thing, this guy has an insanely large fanbase. Not sure I've seen anything like it.