The Colombian has been absent from Rayo's squad for 16 days as doubts surround his future at the club.
The last time James Rodriguez was called up for a Rayo Vallecano match was on December 7, when the team faced Valencia at the Mestalla. That day, the club from Vallecas recorded a 0-1 victory and the Colombian player remained on the bench.
The 2024 Copa America MVP has not played in LaLiga since November 8, when he came on for Isi Palazón in the 77th minute. Rayo sporting director David Cobeño has claimed on a number of occasions that the midfielder is not offside, but has also given no clear reason for coach Iñigo Perez not to select the player.
On August 26, James was officially announced as the new Rayo Vallecano player. The Colombian returned to Europe after his failed spell in Sao Paulo, although there were hopes he would revive his stuttering career following his performances in the Copa América.
Four months later, the prospects look bleak for the midfielder, who has spent barely more than 205 minutes on the pitch in that time, spread over 7 games (6 in LaLiga and 1 in the Cup), 2 as a starter (1 in LaLiga and 1 in the cup) and only 1 assist.
The plot thickens
The Colombian's absence from recent squads has raised alarm bells over his current status at the club. There have been no reports of an injury justifying his absence and David Cobeño, along with Iñigo Pérez, have ruled out the possibility of him being left out as speculated.
After the home match against Real Madrid, both head coach and club president Raul Martin Presa stated that they 'could not reveal the reasons for the Colombian's exclusion'.
Before Sunday's match against Betis, in which a 1-1 draw was played after an Isi goal, the sporting director was once again forced to comment on the situation surrounding the Colombian and out-of-favour striker Raúl de Tomás, who was not in the match appeared. the team. “The information that emerged this week about the two players is completely incorrect, no one has been excluded,” Cobeño said.
The coach had also highlighted the issue and expressed his annoyance over the rumors that emerged. On December 11, the club published a photo of the Colombian training normally with the first-team squad and nothing has been known about his current situation since.
James has the support of the team
“Maybe James Rodriguez expected to play a little more, but he is training and not creating bad vibes,” Isi Palazón said in mid-December about the way the Colombian behaves in training and even the midfielder himself has said that he settled in well at the club, despite the lack of confidence Pérez has shown in him.
Although the coach has stated since the arrival of the Colombian that “he is someone who must give us all the experience he has”, he has not been consistent in his words for the time being, confirming that James' arrival at the club is a presidential election was. decision, which had little to do with the coach, who is ultimately the one who chooses the starters.
Club America linked to player
The number 10 has six months left on his contract at Vallecas and with the winter transfer market opening on January 1, speculation is rife that the 33-year-old could be on the move again. Rumors are growing in Mexico that he is being considered as an option for Club América, but for now Rayo's management are hoping he will honor his contract.
Rayo Vallecano are back in action on January 3 when they take on second-tier Racing Ferrol in the third round of the 24-25 Copa del Rey. The last time the number 10 started was precisely in a Copa match when Rayo faced Unionistas and as things stand, the plot regarding James' future in LaLiga is thickening every week.
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