James Rodriguez looking to be close to his best

12/09/23 2342

On Sunday night, Everton recorded a 3-0 home win over Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison Park in the FA Cup fourth. The victory set up a fifth-round meeting with Tottenham, who defeated Wycombe Wanderers last evening.

Some may say that Sunday’s game may have been against a struggling Championship team, but Carlo Ancelotti’s team looked impressive and had the game won just after the hour mark.

The likes of Andre Gomes and James Rodriguez showed their class at times, especially the latter who looks to now be close to full fitness. The Colombian has had injury and fitness problems in recent months, but he was back to close to his best against the Owls, probing and spotting passes that most lesser players wouldn’t.

In truth, some outside observers were asking questions about the attacking midfielder due to his absence during his debut campaign on Merseyside.

However, against Sheffield Wednesday he looked the fittest he has looked in a royal blue shirt. He may have been substituted late in the game, but unlike in previous games, he didn’t look exhausted.

There is now a hope that James Rodriguez can stay injury-free and become the team’s talisman. The 29-year-old is already a hit amongst the fans of the Merseyside club, who have seen flashes of his undoubted ability.

The Colombian is a special player and Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti seems to be the one that gets the best out of the former-Real Madrid star.

If he can find some consistency for the rest of the campaign, then he could well help the Toffees to the season that those associated with the Merseyside club have dreamed of for more than two decades.

Everton looks to be moving in the right direction under Ancelotti and the hints that James Rodriguez is getting back to close to his best are certainly positive for Toffees.