Hours before Wednesday’s game in Lviv against Shakhtar, Rafa Benítez took James Rodríguez aside to explain to the Colombian player that he would be on the bench against the Ukrainian side: “There are better players performing than you”. This was insult to injury after the midfield player was taken off during the second half of the home game against Barcelona with 35 minutes of the match remaining despite him being one of the Madrid players who tested Claudio Bravo in the Barça goal on two occasions. Up to the 55th minute, the Colombian was constantly looking for the ball whilst Benzema, who hadn’t played for 43 days and was physically and emotionally a doubt beforehand, completed the game.
James is slowly becoming more distant and disillusioned with the Madrid coach.. In Seville, he stared on the bench and was only given playing time when the game was beyond Madrid in the second half. This didn’t stop the Colombian player from firing home a long range goal in the 92nd minute of the game. That day the player felt he was a candidate to be in the starting line-up but Benitez commented that the James; “still needs some work”. The same week in a Champions League game at the Bernabeu against PSG, the player from Cúcuta spent much time warming up and in the end wasn’t called upon by the Madrid coach. James is beginning to realize that he isn’t considered as a guarantee in Rafa Benitez’s line-up’s and certainly doesn’t figure among the list of untouchables that is clearly developing.
James has managed to bite his lip on the subject apart from a directed jibe after a recent Colombia World Cup qualifier where he aimed a comment at Benitez and his previous claims that James wasn’t fully fit. Wednesday night however in Lviv was a tipping point. Once again the player spent a considerable time in the second half warming up only to see Benitez play Benzema and Kroos. His expression on returning to the bench said it all as he expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation to squad-mates on the bench.
Board directors at the club are also perplexed with the situation concerning the Colombian. AS previously published that James’ representatives have requested a considerable salary increase. From his current 5,5 million euro net, the player is looking to attain a salary level that would put him on a par with the likes of Bale or Ramos (who earn 10 million) and only behind Cristiano (21 million). Benítez’s camp has counter-claimed that the 24 year old needs to improve his physical condition and lose weight. Time will tell how the situation resolves itself but for the moment there is a glimmer for the Colombian. Isco is sanctioned for two games following his straight red card in ‘El Clasico’ and this points to James playing in the forthcoming games against Eibar and Getafe.
