James Rodriguez pours cold water on Everton exit rumours

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

James Rodriguez has affirmed his commitment to Everton after rumours surfaced of a possible departure for the Colombian international.

Rodriguez only arrived in the summer on a free transfer from Real Madrid, but Carlo Ancelotti was forced to defend his player before the Merseyside Derby and ensure that he was going nowhere.

And now the Rodriguez himself has confirmed that, expressing his happiness at Goodison Park after a history-making weekend for the club.

“I am happy. We all know it is a new stage for me,” he told Marca Claro.

“At almost 30 years old, I am fine. I am happy for every new thing that is added to my life. It all adds up.”

James Rodriguez is enjoying life on Merseyside

Everton defeated local rivals Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in 22 years, with Rodriguez registering an assist, and moved level on points with their red neighbours with a game in hand still to play.

The Toffees went top of the Premier League table early on in the season but have fallen away slightly, although they remain firmly in the mix for Champions League qualification.

Rodriguez racked up three goals and two assists in his first four Premier League games but has only managed two of each in the 14 games following that as he has had to adapt to life in England.

The former Madrid and Bayern Munich man admitted that it has been tough at times but that he is up for the challenge of continuing to strive for success with Everton.

“We always want to win. There are games in which things go well and others in which things go wrong,” he said.

“Football is very physical now. There are teams that don’t have much quality, but they want to win by force, committing fouls.

“We are ready in each game and what we want to do is play well. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t, but hey, it’s part of football.”

Ancelotti’s side are seeking European qualification for the first time in three seasons and they remain in the hunt for the FA Cup with a quarter-final meeting with Manchester City set for March 21.