What one Everton star did v Chelsea has now earned comparisons to James Rodriguez

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Everton were a club ravaged by the tenure of Rafa Benitez. Few would argue that fact.

The Spaniard joined during a tough financial moment for the club, yet only made things worse with his negative tactics and the poisonous dressing room atmosphere he fostered.

It would not take long for that to spill into the stands, arguably setting the club back years.

However, of all the terrible decisions made by the former Liverpool man, his blunt dismissal of James Rodriguez was perhaps the most criminal.

The Colombian had shone under Carlo Ancelotti, admittedly intermittently, in a system built around his brilliance. He is by far the most technically gifted player that has graced Goodison Park in decades, with his presence now almost an ethereal memory.

Well, after Sunday’s win at Chelsea, The Blue Room sought to discuss the various highlights of that hard-fought clash.

Matt Jones, who works for the Liverpool ECHO, would actually liken one ‘moment of class’ to the former Real Madrid man, who now plays his club football in Brazil after being released.

He said: ‘It sort of felt like neither team were creating anything, there was no real cutting edge from either side in the game, and I think the way he [Dwight McNeil] skins Gallagher, drives forward and plays that pass to Calvert-Lewin is the clear moment of class in the game that opens up the chance for us to score.

‘And I know he doesn’t end up getting a goal or assist for it, but I think that moment, I think the pass to Calvert-Lewin, I didn’t realise how good it was until I watched it back it’s absolutely pinpoint perfect.

‘It’s like a James Rodriguez pass isn’t it.’

How good was James Rodriguez for Everton?

Although the 32-year-old only spent one full year in Merseyside, and saw a chunk of that campaign blighted by injury, fans watched from home one of the most entertaining and exciting talents in world football shine in royal blue.

It was a move almost as crazy as Carlo Ancelotti’s, and his impact would be instant.

Hitting pinpoint crossfield diagonals for fun in his debut against Tottenham Hotspur, in which they claimed a famous victory on the road, it would not take long for the legendary creator to then grab his first goal contributions.

Then, after a stunning display in which he scored and assisted against West Bromwich Albion, he continued that form into wins over Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.

He was even key in their derby day draw, before injuries then started to hit.

Finishing the campaign with six goals and five assists from just 23 Premier League appearances marked a fine return, with Everton fans praying he would stay on despite Ancelotti’s departure at the end of that season.

Although many have since gotten over the manner of his exit, McNeil’s recent performances, and now even his mannerisms, could actually see Rodriguez emulated by the 24-year-old born and raised in Rochdale.