Duncan Ferguson is a pundit for ITV at the World Cup.
The former Everton centre-forward is dipping his toe into punditry after most recently managing Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2024.
Ferguson was part of the panel for Portugal’s final group game against Colombia in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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And, he watched one of his former Toffees players James Rodriguez, who captained Colombia in the goalless draw.
That said, Ferguson gave a pretty brutal but very honest assessment of what he thought of Rodriguez during his time on Merseyside.
Duncan Ferguson says James Rodriguez ‘couldn’t run’ at Everton
Speaking on ITV, Ferguson explained that during Rodriguez’s one-year spell at Everton, the left-footed playmaker ‘couldn’t run’.
Whilst harsh, it’s a pretty fair assessment of the 129-cap Colombia international, who was the epitome of a luxury player.
“I coached him at Everton,” Ferguson explained.
“Very good player, he had a wand of a left foot. He couldn’t run, he wasn’t quick at all. He did very well for Everton in COVID.
“He wasn’t fast with speed, but fast in the mind.”
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Since leaving Everton during the summer of 2021, Rodriguez has plied his trade for Al-Rayyan, Olympiacos, Sao Paulo, Rayo Vallecano, Leon and most recently Minnesota.
It has been reported that Rodriguez is considering retiring after the World Cup, ending a very up-and-down career.
The former Toffees star turns 35 next month, so clearly the prime years are well behind him now.
For now, though, he’s still impressing for Colombia and is set to lead his side out against Ghana in the round of 32.
Every game now could be the final one of his 20-year career.
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