Rodriguez exit may give Everton room for manoeuvre in January

24/09/21 2035

Earlier in the week, James Rodriguez completed a move to Qatari club Al-Rayyan from Premier League Everton. The deal will not have come as a shock, as the Colombian has not featured at all for the Toffees this season.

The 30-year-old produced some early moments of magic in his career on Merseyside. However, ultimately injuries and a poor fitness record scuppered his career at Everton, just like it had at some of his previous clubs.

The move may work for all parties. No doubt Rodriguez is talented, but he was not cut out to play in an Everton team managed by the demanding Rafa Benitez.

In terms of finance getting the Colombian internationals reported £220,000 per week off the wage bill will have been a relief for the Merseysider’s, whose summer transfer activity was heavily restricted by FFP and Premier League spending rules.

Many associated with Everton will be hoping that the wages paid to Rodriguez can be reinvested in strengthening the Toffees threadbare squad in January.

The restrictions meant that the Benitez and co. were fighting with their hands tied behind their back slightly in the summer.

Last Friday the Toffees head coach revealed that Seamus Coleman, Jordan Pickford and Richarlison had joined Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the treatment room.

This resulted in a seriously weakened team and squad for their 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend.

A midweek penalty defeat against Championship QPR in the third round of the Carabao Cup followed, which once again illustrated that the Toffees squad is about as deep as a puddle.

The January transfer window will be the earliest that Benitez can draft in reinforcements.

Rodriguez’s wages may not go far in the modern transfer window, but it could at least be used to sign a player that will be available for more than half of his team’s games.