James Rodríguez admits he did not know Everton play Leeds on Saturday

James Rodríguez has confessed that he does not know who Everton are playing this weekend as he edges towards the exit at Goodison Park.

The Colombia international has been told he can leave this summer, with the club looking to remove his lucrative contract from their wage bill and free up space for new signings. Atlético Madrid are a possible destination for the former Real Madrid playmaker.

Rodríguez missed the opening Premier League win against Southampton because of coronavirus issues and remains in isolation for Saturday’s trip to Leeds. But, on his Twitch stream, the 30-year-old revealed he was unsure who his teammates were facing.

“I will start training on Monday, I think,” said Rodríguez, who is yet to play in front of Everton fans. “On the weekend I will not play, I don’t even know who Everton is playing, can you please tell me? I think it is away because the past was here at home.” Shortly afterwards, he added: “Ah, against Leeds they play, away from home, against [Marcelo] Bielsa, a difficult game, let’s see what happens, hopefully they win.”

Rafael Benítez, the new Everton manager, gave a pointed response when asked whether the midfielder remained in his plans for the season. “Until 31 August yes he is in my plans,” he replied.

Everton have signed veteran goalkeeper Andy Lonergan on a short-term contract after the 19-year-old Harry Tyrer, who would be third choice in the event of João Virgínia leaving on loan, suffered an injury in training earlier this week. The 37-year-old Lonergan has spent recent seasons as cover at Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Stoke and West Brom without making a league appearance.

Despite financial constraints at Everton this summer, due to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, Benítez is confident of adding to his squad before the transfer deadline. The departures of Rodriguez and Moise Kean, who will be included in the squad for Leeds having ended his isolation period, will influence incomings, however.

“The financial fair play rules are there for us, for everyone, and we have to follow these rules,” the Everton manager said. “We have to adapt our strategy to that and if we can get rid of players we can bring players in. We have to be creative and find solutions the best way possible.

“I am confident we will do something, maybe not everything, but we will do something. The transfer window is not easy for anyone. You can see some teams with a lot of money and others who don’t have too much, but I am confident we are working hard to try and find solutions.

Maybe not the ideal solutions that everybody could be expecting but finding solutions that will give us the chance to improve the squad, improve the team and then be as competitive as we want to be.”

source: theguardian.com