The Colombian Prodigal Son Returns - The James Rodríguez Thread

I wouldn’t sell to a direct rival, ******** that.

 

I don't know, that Llorente transfer looks incredible for us right now. Atleti gave us 30 mil. Euro for a player they are not invested in, and will likely offload for half the value to another spanish team at some point.

I have no idea what value James has right now. If Atleti pay more to spite us, even better. I don't think he's a player that moves them forward. Especially with Felix needing lots of time and focus. James might find himself a substitute at Atleti as well.

 

Some very odd decisions from the club over the past year. Had a deal in place with Atletico for James, backed out, and now we're looking at it again. Had a deal in place with a Chinese club for Bale, backed out, and now we're looking to off load him again. Not to mention, not willing to pull the trigger on Haaland in December for 20M, but suddenly we're interested after 5 matches with his new club and we're looking to pay 70M?

 

Where’s the report of us backing out for Haaland? And didn’t James ultimately block the Atletico move?

 

Well for Haaland, we didn't buy him or weren't interested in December when he was at 20M, whatever the reason for that, I'm not sure what changed from December to February to change our mind.

As for James, maybe not the best source, but it certainly seemed that's how things played out last summer:

James Rodriguez was very close to joining Atletico Madrid last summer but then after the Pre-season 3-7 game, Florentino Perez canceled the complete deal. [@diarioas] pic.twitter.com/nQL4U1XOoK

— Infinite Madrid (@InfiniteMadrid) May 10, 2020

 

Well, we all know being willing to pay for Haaland and he being willing to come to Madrid to ride the pine are different things. Jovic was already here and reading up in Haaland to Dortmund it’s clear he wanted to play right away. Wasn’t gonna happen here. I’m not gonna fault the club there at all.

The James thing to me was more of the club coming to its senses. Why sell him to Atlético anyway? I’m glad we changed up.

Bale, that’s the real odd one but it feels like the club didn’t want to look bad losing such a high profile player for nothing. Flo ********ed up thinking he could probably rehab Bale’s image and get him back to a valuable asset. Especially with Zidane as manager, when you know he would like Bale gone as well. The Bale saga continues to be kinda baffling to me.

 

Look, if Atlético bring the only substantial offer, fair enough. But if any MLS or EPL or Chinese or whatever clubs have similar offers than it would be preferable to me to go that direction, if James was keen.

 

Which is all fine, but why are we now chasing him again? Trying to make sense of what changed between December and now?

 

I think we might be going for reliability there as well. Who knows when these leagues will return or what money they'll be working with? With Atleti we know they'll be open for business at the same time as we are.

 

I don't think Håland and Raiola wanted to make a big multiple year step right away. After all it was the player himself that brought up the option of going to Dortmund.

 

Who said something changed? Sounds like we were at least interested in the Winter window but didn’t go all out because we had 3 strikers on the roster, and no chance for him to start matches right away. He probably discarded Madrid as an option for that reason alone. Sounds like we had interest though. If we go all out for Haaland (and it’s all just the most obvious of rumors to create by the media right now) they’ve realized Benzema needs to be replaced, and that Jovic isn’t the one to do do.

 

That makes sense but I would just prefer to avoid potential revenge situations when possible. James is still very skillful and can be a difference maker. It sounds great now to say’” just sell him to whoever, and cash in!” until he has a game winning free kick or golazo to beat us in an important match.

 

Have you ever felt like James would fit in Atleti's system and culture? To me it feels like he'd be joining them for convenience not because his heart is in it.

 

True but I didn’t think he’d work at Bayern and he actually played really well there. Bottom line is he could do what their young Portuguese kid shouldve done and create chances. He could help them if given a freer role with their workhorses like Partey, Saul and Koke around him.

 

Only when everything was perfect for him though. As soon as Kovac joined he became a problem. Can't have somebody this unreliable on a bigger contract.

I'm also starting to think that Bayern's refusal to buy and flip the player might have something to do with his reluctance of moving in various directions and really looking for max comfort for himself.

I think he's a very talented player but I'm starting to think that's all he'll ever be, an eternal talent.