Carlo Ancelotti praises Rodriguez impact

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti  has hailed James Rodriguez for the impact  he has had on the side and how quickly he’s settled into life in Spain.

The 22-year-old winger arrived in the Spanish capital in an 80-million-euro deal from Monaco in the summer after excelling at the World Cup with Colombia.

He scored six goals in five games during the tournament in Brazil, picking up the top scorer award and the goal of the tournament prize for his effort against Uruguay – a sensational long distance volley.

Los Blancos endured a tough start to the campaign, losing two of their first three league games. The defeats to Real Sociedad and Atletico de Madrid lead to claims that Real had lost the balance in their side having sold Xabi Alonso and Angel di Maria.

The side have since been on a fine run of form. Much of that is how the team is defending better and the adaptation of Rodriguez, who has had to work in the defensive side of his game.

Talking to Real Madrid TV, the boss said: “There are some very important players in the team that are getting used to defending better. It was something that was unusual for James when he first arrived, but he’s doing very well now.”