When Everton appointed Rafael Benitez as their new manager a few weeks ago, it was a footballing earthquake in the city of Liverpool. It was unthinkable that the former Reds manager could take over at their biggest rivals. But it happened. And it’s not going to be the only shock Benitez will provide.James Rodriguez, one of Everton’s best players, admitted that he has become unsettled at the club and that his future in the blue half of Liverpool isn’t secure. It looks like the new boss doesn’t count on the Colombia international for the upcoming Premier League campaign. Speaking in a live Twitch stream, the former Real Madrid player seemed disillusioned with his life at Goodison Park.James Rodriguez talking about his future on Twitch: 🎙 Doesn’t know where he’s going to stay, that’s a very complicated issue and he doesn’t want to say anything because he does not know. Says he’s training well and we will see what happens. pic.twitter.com/AKXi4ojQNv— Home Of The Blues (@evertonhub) July 30, 2021 The man who signed James for Everton, Carlo Ancelotti, was tempted back to Spain by their former club Real Madrid and he jumped on the opportunity to return to the Spanish capital. Unlike the Italian, Benitez isn’t going to base his tactics around the 30-year-old.”I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know where I’m going to play. You know that you don’t know anything in football and in life, but all I know is that I’ve been training hard, preparing well, training for myself, and that’s it. It’s complicated. I will play wherever I’m wanted. Someone has to be at a place they’re wanted.”One would say the Toffees are not at all thrilled with Benitez appointmentDespite spending more than six years at the Bernabeu and playing for Ancelotti at Bayern Munich on loan during that spell, Rodriguez has emphatically denied that he will follow the revered coach to the Spanish giants.”No, I don’t think I will go back to Madrid. That is a closed cycle which I won’t repeat.”Benitez driving James out of our club. I wasn’t against him coming in but now I’m starting to feel very annoyed towards him.We don’t get players like James Rodriguez at Everton very often.— Evertonian. (@TheEvertonian78) July 30, 2021 The 30-year-old featured as Everton continued their pre-season preparations by winning the Florida Cup on penalties on Sunday. He was not called up for his country’s Copa America campaign, which ended with defeat to Peru in the third-place play-off.
