• March 28, 2024

Asensio’s injury could offer James a second chance

James Columbia Copa America

Marco Asensio’s injury in the pre-season friendly against Arsenal could hand James Rodriguez a second chance at the Santiago Bernabeu.

According to reports in the London Evening Standard, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane will not look to bring in a new forward-thinking player.

This comes despite knowing that attacking midfielder Marco Asensio will miss at least six months of the season due to a torn ACL.

The 23-year-old Spanish international had to be stretchered off the pitch in the 67th minute following a poor defensive tackle on Gunners striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

If Real Madrid is not thinking of bringing in a replacement it must mean that Zidane has decided that he has sufficient cover from within the team.

Saying that the transfer window is still open and Real Madrid is being linked with several midfielders that include Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen, Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Ajax’s Donny van de Beek.

Not mentioning any names, but some intrepid reporter tried to bring the Gareth Bales situation at the club into the mix asking the Frenchman if Asensio’s injury would have any impact on his transfer.

The Madrid manager put him in his place saying: “One thing doesn’t have anything to do with the other.”

What could be affected, though is the imminent departure of Dani Ceballos on loan to Arsenal.

Hold the fort we have breaking news from talkSport claiming Zinedine Zidane has given the go-ahead to Ceballos moving to Arsenal.

This looks certain now with the Daily Express reporting that Dani Ceballos has been spotted in north London ahead of his medical.

With Zidane confident of having cover from within, it has us wondering if the French trainer is willing to give James a second chance.

The Colombian international has spent the past two seasons on loan with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and is currently on vacation following the Copa America.

Despite having nothing to do with Los Blancos for the past two seasons, the 28-year-old is expected to report for training at the Valdebebas on Monday.

Real Madrid signed James from Monaco for 80€ million in 2014 following the Colombians “Golden Boot” display during the World Cup.

During Zidane’s first term in charge of Real Madrid, James got very little playing time and did not feature in either the 2016 or 2017 Champions League finals.

While preferring to be used as a number 10 or playmaker, he could be deployed on the right-wing and solve Real Madrid’s problem while Asensio is out injured.

James has also been linked with a move to Atlético Madrid and Italian Serie A powerhouse Napoli.

When asked by a reporter on Friday whether James will be sold Zidane answered by saying: “He’s a Madrid player, we’ll see what happens.” “He’s on holiday at the moment. I can’t tell you anything else.”

Meanwhile, James remains a popular player with the fans at the Bernabeu and would be welcomed back into the team with open arms.