James Rodríguez: Numbers to Become another Real Madrid Star

James Rodríguez rol is getting less important in Real Madrid in the last months. The Colombian was a star in his first season in Spain with Carlo Ancelotti but he’s passed from the pitch to the bench with Rafa Benítez and Zinedine Zidane. Now, after his good performances with Colombia, the French manager might think of including him again in the starting eleven and give him another chance.

Since Zidane’s arrival, James Rodríguez is the fourth top scorer in the squad. The playmaker has scored 4 goals, like Jesé Rodríguez, although he hasn’t enjoyed many minutes in these months. Only Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale has scored more goals than him. Even Isco, Morata or Asensio have scored less goals.

In his first season in Spain, James Rodríguez scored 17 goals and gave 18 assists, amazing numbers for a new arrival. He was one of the stars of the team with Carlo Ancelotti but his performance went down last season and he lost his place in the lineup. Now, after a summer full of rumours, he needs to do his best to recover his position in the team.

Last year numbers weren’t that bad. James Rodríguez scored 8 goals and gave 10 assists, however he didn’t play good football and he spent most time on the bench, including the final of the Champions League. He was on the bench in most of the important games and when he had the chance of playing he didn’t show his quality and there was a lack of interest, according to some supporters.

These things are not happening when James travel to Colombia. He was the star in the last Copa América and this past week he scored another goal against Venezuela in the qualifying game for the Russian World Cup. Colombia supporters and the coach complain because of the lack of opportunities with Zidane on the bench. Now it’s time for James to prove himself as the star he should be.