Former Bayern Munich star Adolfo Valencia believes James Rodriguez will score 16 goals for Carlo Ancelotti’s side this season.
Valencia, the last Colombian to don the colours of the German record champions, spent just one full season in the Bavarian capital, scoring 13 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions across the 1993/94 and 1994/95 campaigns.
Watch: James steals the show as Bayern beat Schalke
Having watched his compatriot open his Bayern account in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Schalke, however, Valencia is convinced James has the tools to better the now 49-year-old’s tally for the club.
“I think he’ll score 16 goals this season,” the former Los Cafeteros international told German tabloid BILD. “He has incredible technique and an unbelievably strong left foot. Other than that, he can also set up his team-mates with superb passes.”
Valencia scored 13 goals in 34 appearances for Bayern between 1993 and 1994.
Indeed, after earning the penalty from which Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring at the Veltins-Arena on Wednesday, James also laid on a brilliant assist for Arturo Vidal, splitting the Schalke defence with a clever dink through to the Chilean international to help put the seal on a comfortable victory.
James is set to start at the Allianz Arena for the first time in the Bundesliga on Friday, with Bayern taking on struggling Wolfsburg in the Matchday 6 curtain-raiser.
With a goal, an assist and a won penalty, @jamesrodriguez10 is the MD5 Man of the Matchday! #Bundesliga #Football #Soccer #Germany #fussball #futbol #goals #lovefootball #thebeautifulgame #instasport #team #soccerislife #footy #skills #matchday #player #match #footballgame #ball.
Source: bundesliga.com