Rafa Benítez: “Until August 31, James is in my plans”

Rafa Benítez once again questioned the future of James Rodríguez. The Everton technical director, who is preparing the game against Leeds United for the second date of the Premier League, spoke of the Colombian midfielder and assured that he is in his plans only until August 31, the day on which the transfer market in Europe. Both the coach and the player are waiting for what may happen in the next week and a half.

“Until the end of August there is a lot of speculation, but you have to work with the players who are there. Until August 31, James Rodríguez will continue to be in my plans“said the Spaniard at a press conference before Saturday's engagement at Elland Road, also referring to a possible departure for Italian Moise Kean.

James Rodríguez has not been able to train in recent weeks with Everton after having close contact with a positive case of COVID-19 so it is ruled out for the next two games of the Toffees. Rafa Benítez hopes that from the following week he will be able to resume training, while defining his future. For his part, the '19' showed disconnection with his club by stating that he did not know which was the next rival of the Liverpool team.

“I understand James's wish to hear from you. He is our player until August 31. He was unavailable last week and will not be available this week. We hope that the other can start training and we will see what happens from here to the end of the transfer market“, complemented the trainer.

James and his plans for the next challenges

James Rodríguez is motivated by the next challenges he will have, despite not being clear about his team. In one of his Twitch broadcasts, he assured that he is training from home and is waiting for his future to be defined. At the moment there would be no formal club proposals to sign him.

“I have been training here at home, isolated, I feel very good to start, with a lot of desire, dreams and waiting to see what happens, wherever it is I have to do things well, this season has to be good, I have a lot of faith in so it will be. It is a question that I do not know, between now and 30 (August) anything can happen, there are many things at stake“said the player.

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The match between Leeds United and Everton, valid for the second date of the Premier League, It will be played this Saturday, August 21 at 9:00 a.m. (Colombian hour) at the Elland Road stadium in the Yorkshire capital.