Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has put a stop to rumours linking James Rodriguez with a January move away from the club.
Rodriguez has been heavily linked with a big money move to several clubs almost as soon as Zidane was made Madrid manager in January after dropping down the pecking order under the Frenchman.
The Colombia international was widely expected to leave Madrid in the summer after just two years at the club with a January exit also tipped when the transfer window re-opens, although Zidane has poured cold water over transfer talks and insists the midfielder will remain at the club until the end of the season.
“James isn’t going to leave in January, for certain. I don’t want him to leave,” AS quote Zidane as saying in his pre-match press conference ahead of their clash with Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend. “Will he start against Depor? You’ll see tomorrow…”
Casemiro’s place in midfield has restricted the likes of Rodriguez and Isco to limited first-team opportunities in the last 12 months, particularly as the front three picks itself when all components are fully fit and available.
Of players to have started more than 10 games in the last three La Liga seasons Rodriguez has fewer minutes per key pass than any other player (1 every 28.2 mins).
For more stats on James Rodriguez, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
