What’s going on with James Rodriguez at Rayo Vallecano?

The last time James Rodriguez was called up for a Rayo Vallecano match was on 7 December when the side faced Valencia at Mestalla. That day as the Vallecas based club recorded a 0-1 win and the Colombian player remained on the bench.

The 2024 Copa América MVP has has not played in LaLiga since November 8th when he came on in the 77th minute for Isi Palazón. David Cobeño, Rayo’s sporting director has claimed a series of times that the midfielder has not been sidelined, but has also failed to give a clear reason for coach Iñigo Perez not to select the player.

On 26 August, James was officially announced as a new Rayo Vallecano player. The Colombian was returning to Europe after his unsuccessful stint in Sao Paulo, although there was hope in reigniting his stuttering career after his performances at the Copa América.

Four months later the outlook is looking bleak for the midfielder, who in that time, has barely spent more than 205 minutes on the pitch, 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 just 1 assist.

The plot thickens

The Colombian’s absence from recent squads has raised alarm bells about his current status at the club. There are no reports of an injury to justify his absence and David Cobeño, along with Iñigo Pérez, have ruled out the possibility that he is being left out as has been speculated.

After the home game against Real Madrid, both head coach and club president Raul Martin Presa stated that they: ‘could not reveal the reasons for the Colombian’s ostracism'.

Ahead of Sunday’s game against Betis, in which they drew 1-1 after a goal from Isi, the sporting director once again was obliged to comment on the situation relating to the Colombian and out of favour striker Raúl de Tomás, who did not appear in the squad. “The information that has come out this week about the two players is completely false, no one has been excluded,” said Cobeño.

The coach had also referred to the issue, expressing his annoyance at the rumours generated. On 11 December, the club published a photo of the Colombian training normally with the first team squad and since then nothing more has been known about his present situation.

James has the backing of the squad

“Maybe James Rodriguez would expect to play a little more, but he is training and is not creating any 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 feels good at the club, despite the lack of confidence that Pérez has shown in him.

Although the coach has stated since the Colombian’s arrival that, “he is someone who has to provide us with all the experience he has”, for now he has not been consistent with his words, confirming that James' arrival at the club was a presidential decision, where the coach had little to do with it, who is ultimately the one who chooses the starters.

Club America linked with player

The number 10 has six months left on his contract at Vallecas and with the winter transfer market set to open on January 1st, speculation is rife that the 33-year-old could be on the move once again. In Mexico, rumours are growing that he is being considered an option for Club América, but for now, Rayo’s management hopes that he will fulfil his contract.

Rayo Vallecano will be back in action on 3 January when they face 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 game when Rayo faced Unionistas and as things stand, the plot thickens each week relating to James' future in LaLiga.

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