Bundesliga legend and Bayern Munich hero Lothar Matthäus has given his take on the record champions’ latest superstar James Rodriguez. Time is the most important thing, according to the German great.
"James hasn’t reached the highest level he can get to at Bayern yet," says Matthäus, who made 464 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach. "He is already on his way, in a very good way, and if he continues like that, he will show us the best of his football.
"Still, James is not yet the Bayern leader he can become. That makes sense though. He still has to get used to the Bundesliga, Bayern, Germany, his way of playing football and the new culture."
Watch: James scores his first Bayern goal, wins a penalty and superbly assists Arturo Vidal - all in one game!
THE SIGNS ARE GOOD ALREADY
James made a slow start to life in Munich after joining Bayern on a two-year loan deal in the summer, although he was not helped by missing the opening two league games through injury. Since then he has shown exactly what he is capable of and, as Matthäus says, there is even more to come.
"With James you have to be patient and handle expectations," the 1991 World Player of the Year said.
"He has a lot of quality, but he needs time. Let’s not forget he did not have a rhythm at Real Madrid. We have to wait for it, give it time.
"The good thing is that he has already shown some of the things that we have been waiting to see. Against Schalke and RB Leipzig he played a couple of very good games and soon that will be the constant. I think we will soon see that performance every week."
James Rodriguez has the numbers to support his case for a fantastic start to life with Bayern Munich. THE MODERN NUMBER 10
Having played as a number 10 himself, Matthäus knows what is required of the creative link between midfield and attack for a team like Bayern. James occupies the same role now under Juup Heynckes and, in Matthäus’ mind, the Colombian is the perfect example of the modern attacking midfielder.
"James personifies the 'modern 10' - that player who attacks and defends, who is a leader and controls the game while being a worker, who makes goals and assists, is the owner of the midfield and is capable of taking a stranglehold on a game at any time."
His goals against Schalke and Leipzig - as well as superb assists against Borussia Dortmund and particularly for Arturo Vidal against the Royal Blues – mean the Bundesliga knows what to expect. And they should be ready for much more when James’ twinkling toes are perfectly settled into the German way of life.
Watch: James inspired Bayern to Klassiker victory over Dortmund!
"When James finds his rhythm it will be very important for Bayern and the Colombian team,” says Matthäus.
"In the world of football, the number 10 position has changed substantially. James has gathered all the attributes that characterise the new 10."
Source: bundesliga.com