Maturana: ""I'm not surprised James plays so little at Madrid"
Colombian coach Maturana spoke about the situation of the Real Madrid player on El Larguero radio show. James' agent, Jorge Mendes, has said he's staying this January.
Pacho Maturana, Colombian coach who worked with his national side, Valladolid and Atlético, spoke on El Larguero (The Crossbar) late night sports radio show to discuss the situation of James at Real Madrid. There have been rumours the out of favour midfielder could be on his way from the club, though his agent Jorge Mendes says he won't move in January.
James' situation in Real Madrid
"I'm not surprised. Right now, when we talk about football, the final product isn't the sum of all the names, but what each individual can do. Madrid has a totally defined structure, in which James struggles to find a space.
The coach of a team has a duty to bring success, but no obligation to each individual. In Colombia we're very worried, but analysing it in purely footballing terms, it's clear that James having a space in the side depends almost entirely on the absence of one of the BBC.
Is it the fault of James or Zidane?
It's not anybody's fault. Zidane's duty is to the squad and he looks for [opportunities] he can give him, and sometimes he cuts off his feelings. James struggles to fit into the Real Madrid style.
Will James leave?
I don't have the solution to what he needs to do. James is a magnificent player and he has his family and his agent close by, so they'll decide what's best.
Does James need to be patient?
The path James takes is the one he chooses. I can't tell him what he should do. The best James is the one who fought day in day out for his place. He's got the key to everything.
His outburst after the Club World Cup
It's a feeling he has, but he has to choose the right moment. It wasn't a moment for that, but to hug everyone even though he hadn't played, and celebrate the trophy.
James' image in Colombia affected?
I don't think it will have been affected. Everyone is waiting for him to get back to being the positive leader he's always been.
Next year will James be at Madrid?
I don't know. I saw his agent had said he'd stay until June at least. Anything could happen. Football is football.
Update 12 May 2017: James has reached an initial agreement with Manchester United.
