James Rodriguez sparks fury with bizarre Leeds v Everton admission

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James Rodriguez has done little to ease the tension at Everton with a strange admission about the Toffees’ Premier League match at Leeds on Saturday.

The Colombian star has made no secret of his wish to leave Goodison Park after Rafa Benitez replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the helm. Rodriguez has been strongly linked with Atletico Madrid, after making it clear he has no wish to play for the Spanish coach.

Indeed, having posted “nunca dejes de creer” in a social media post – the motto of Atletico Madrid – accompanied by the ‘soon’ emoji, James has done little to disguise his intentions.

Those actions have not exactly endeared him to Everton’s fans. Signed in a blaze of glory last summer from Real Madrid, the Colombian has shown flashes of his undoubted talents.

However, his latest admision that he did not know who Everton were playing this weekend won’t have eased supporters’ frustrations with him.

Speaking on his Twitch stream, Rodriguez said: “I will start training on Monday, I think.

“On the weekend I will not play, I don’t even know who Everton is playing, can you please tell me? I think it is away because the past was here at home.

He later added: “Ah, against Leeds they play, away from home, against (Marcelo) Bielsa, a difficult game. Let’s see what happens, hopefully they [Everton] win.”

James linked with Atletico Madrid move

James linked with Atletico Madrid move

Everton midfielder James Rodriguez looks likely to sign for Atletico Madrid after making clear his wish to quit Goodison Park.

James though clearly sees a future away from Goodison and added: “I have faith that this season will be good for me, big things are coming for me.

“Between now and August 30, anything can happen, I don’t know where I’ll play, I’ll be where things go well.”

Benitez giving little away on James future

As well as James, Everton also have doubts over the future of Moise Kean. The Italy international impressed during a loan stint at PSG last season and his future also appears to be away from Goodison.

Discussing the pair ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds, Benitez was giving little away.

“Until the end of August, until the last day, the last minute, (there will be) a lot of speculation,” he said. “We have to keep working with the players that are here and available, and that is it, the only thing that I can say.”

And when asked specifically about James, he was equally as vague.

“Until August 31, yes he’s in my plans,” he added.

Rodriguez admitted earlier this month that his future looks  ‘complicated’ and needs to play somewhere he feels ‘wanted’.

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