Real Madrid: James should be strutting stuff at the Bernabéu
The worst thing about James Rodríguez's loan move to Bayern Munich in summer 2017 is that we didn't know when or if we'd be getting him back. Giving the Germans the last word over his future annoyed me no end at the time.
Bayern ruined many a European night for Madrid during my teenage years, refused to negotiate over Franck Ribéry back in the day and, of course, have told us to do one every time we've shown even a passing interest in Robert Lewandowski.
In exchange, we've practically given away Arjen Robben (25m euros) and Xabi Alonso (9m) to the Bavarians in recent times. And don't get me started on the bargain price included in their purchase option on James: just 42m for an absolute class act.
James' talent belongs at the Bernabéu
Thankfully, Bayern boss Niko Kovac is an inflexible son of a gun, and has managed to drive the player up the wall in record time. The Colombian now needs a new stage on which to remind the world of his boundless footballing talent.
That stage should be the Bernabéu. At 27, he's currently in his peak years as a footballer. The German game is in a rut, as Die Mannschaft's Nations League relegation has underlined. James should be strutting his stuff at Madrid.
We're waiting for you, champ.