Michael Ball thinks that Everton are missing James Rodriguez.
Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo, the former defender claimed that the Toffees are missing someone who can ‘put it in the danger zone’ but also ‘pitch in’ with goals.
Rodriguez joined Everton on a free transfer in 2020 as he reunited with Carlo Ancelotti in a surprise move. The Colombian was left disappointed when his former manager returned to Real Madrid the following summer and left Goodison Park himself only three months later.
Despite a sour ending to his spell in the Premier League, Rodriguez showed huge talent at Everton – netting six goals and providing four assists in 23 matches in the English top flight.
Following the 32-year-old’s exit, the Toffees brought in the likes of Dele Alli, Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend.
With the club yet to really replace Rodriguez, Michael Ball believes Everton have really missed the former Real Madrid star.
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“We’ve missed top players like James Rodriguez,” Ball said. “Someone who has the ability to put it in the danger zone but also who could pitch in with the goals.
“You want Calvert-Lewin to be on the scoresheet, and Beto, but now we’ve got McNeil, Harrison, Danjuma – can they start chipping in?”
Have Everton replaced James Rodriguez?
Everton were set for big trouble if they were unable to bring in players that could contribute to goals and assists, like Rodriguez.
However, Sean Dyche has welcomed Harrison and Danjuma to Merseyside this summer, as well as Beto and Youssef Chermiti to provide competition up top.
The two wingers could be a great addition to Everton’s attack and will really need to work their socks off to help add the attacking threat that they have really been missing.
Realistically, the Toffees aren’t going to bring in a player of Rodriguez’s quality anytime soon, so Dyche needs to make what he has at his disposal work for him.