James Rodriguez hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning to Real Madrid to play under former coach Carlo Ancelotti, but expressed his belief that this scenario does not appear to be very realistic. The two men have worked together at three different teams in the past, as James had previously played under the Italian coach at Los Blancos, Bayern Munich and Everton.
Everton are yet to appoint a successor to Ancelotti but any incoming manager will want money to spend and the Toffees are worried about falling foul to Financial Fair Play, with Rodriguez’s high wages weighing the side down. The Daily Mail therefore claim that the Colombian has been offered to former club Real Madrid, though the La Liga giants show little willingness in engaging. Rodriguez’s representatives have also spoken to Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Napoli as the look for a quick exit out of Liverpool for their client.
"Return to Real Madrid [to play] under Ancelotti? I don't know, I don't think so. We'll see. If I stay another year at Everton, that's fine." James said.
James also lamented Colombia's coaching staff for deciding against calling him up for the Copa America, which kicked off on Sunday, June 13: "I don't agree with the decision of the [Colombia] coaching staff because they disrespected me, I preferred he [the coach] would just say ‘I don’t like you as a player" James noted.
Despite having made many friends in Los Blancos' dressing room, fans didn't appreciate his attitude after returning from his loan spell at Bayern Munich. "Nobody wants me [at Real Madrid] anymore," James said on social media back in February.
Meanwhile, in April he told ESPN that he was close to joining fierce rivals Atletico Madrid the previous summer, when Real Madrid appeared to be willing to offload him. "I had everything ready to go to Atletico Madrid, but Real Madrid didn't let me," revealed James.
The midfielder has been linked with a move back to the Spanish capital after the Italian coach was appointed as Zinedine Zidane's replacement James Rodriguez does not expect to follow Carlo Ancelotti back to Real Madrid. Rodriguez worked with Ancelotti in his first spell at the Santiago Bernabeu and the Italian then brought him on loan to Bayern Munich. The pair were reunited at Everton but they have been separated once again following Ancelotti's decision to move back to Madrid this summer to replace Zinedine Zidane.
There have been rumours that the coach could push Madrid to sign the 29-year-old again, but Rodriguez doubts that will happen.
"I don't know [if I'll go back to Madrid]. I don't think so, we're watching. If I stay another year at Everton, that's fine," he said during an Instagram Live chat. I don't think Ancelotti is going to take me. The cycle for me with Real Madrid is closed, I don't think I'll go there, but I'm still young."
The adventure of James at Real Madrid: The Colombia international joined Madrid from Monaco in 2014 when Ancelotti was in charge. Despite a bright start to life in the Spanish capital, the midfielder's career was disrupted by injuries and he eventually fell out of favour. He was subsequently loaned to Bayern for two years, reuniting with Ancelotti, but the German side decided against signing him on a permanent basis. He was unable to earn his place back at Madrid and teamed up with Ancelotti for a third time when he moved to Goodison Park last summer.
James’ performance at Everton: The ex-Porto star signed a two-year deal with an option for a third at the Toffees and immediately became a first-team regular. However, despite showing flashes of brilliance at the start of the season, Rodriguez struggled with injuries throughout his debut campaign on Merseyside and Ancelotti’s departure has left the Colombian in the cold. His season was limited to 23 appearances in the Premier League.
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