The 29-year-old had fallen out of favor under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid and found playing time to return to his last season at the club, prompting him to seek a departure.
James Rodriguez wanted a new challenge.
James Rodriguez ended his six-year stay at Real Madrid in the summer when he reunited with Carlo Ancelotti at Everton, and the Italian coach admitted that the Colombian playmaker wanted to play regularly again. The 29-year-old had fallen out of favor under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid and found playing time to return to his last season at the club, prompting him to seek a departure. Ancelotti admitted that James wanted a new challenge and he believes he found it at Everton. “First of all, he wanted to find a club where he could play more often than Real Madrid,” Ancelotti said.
“He had times at Real Madrid where he didn’t play much. He wanted a new challenge, desperately wanted to play, and I think he found the right place because he knows me, I know him. The club wants to improve, and the club has a big project. I think he found the right place to show his quality and of course the player is talented; he does not miss a pass, does not miss a control, does not miss a shot. He doesn’t play hard football, he plays”. Since joining the Premier League, James has scored three goals and four assists in eight games in all competitions.