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Everton's James Rodriguez celebrates scoring their first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool
Sporting calendar hit by regional instability with tournaments in the Gulf abandoned
WHEN he arrived in England last year, Colombian attacking midfielder James Rodriguez was billed as a luxury playmaker — a marquee signing but one who might struggle with the rigours of English football, especially in the condensed calendar dictated by the circumstances in which the 2020-21 season is being played.
Now 16 appearances into his Everton career, having played over 1,000 minutes in all competitions, many of the worries that he would not be suited to his new environment have been allayed.
A Man of the Match performance on a freezing cold Sunday evening in the FA Cup against Championship opposition was not in the James script, but this is exactly what he produced in the fourth round against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.
Toffees struggle to savour final games before heading to new stadium
As the historic ground prepares for its emotional farewell, even visiting teams like Manchester City are paying tribute to one of English football’s most storied stadiums, writes JAMES NALTON