Carlo Ancelotti has insisted James Rodriguez won’t be a one-season wonder at Everton like the club’s previous Galactico signing Samuel Eto’o.
Rodriguez, 29, has dropped off in form following a great start to his Goodison career with three goals in six games after a highly-publicised move from Real Madrid.
He misses out against West Ham on Sunday with a calf problems suffered in the warm-up before Everton’s defeat against Aston Villa last weekend.
Although recent omens don’t look promising for the 2014 Golden Boot winner, Ancelotti doesn’t think his Colombian star will be a repeat of Eto’o who joined Everton to great excitement from Chelsea but lasted only 20 appearances.
‘I don’t think we can compare,’ said Ancelotti. ‘James Rodriguez chose this club because I think he was excited about the project and he is still excited about the project.
‘He played one year here, I think he is happy, he is comfortable here. He had some problems of course but this doesn’t affect the desire he has to stay here and to play for Everton for the future.’
Even so, the Italian reiterated Everton’s transfer policy this summer won’t be judged on reputation.
‘The target is not to have big names here. The target is to have good players who are necessary to improve the quality and the strength of the squad,’ said Ancelotti, who has been linked with Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho.
‘We didn’t just sign James Rodriguez last year. We also signed (Ben) Godfrey, Allan and (Abdoulaye) Doucoure. It doesn’t matter if they are a big name or not.’
‘We want to sign players who will improve us – and we are going to sign them.
‘I don’t believe qualifying for Europe will make a difference. Of course, it would be a step forward for everyone – for me, for the players who are already here and any new players.
‘But what we are thinking doesn’t alter if we are in Europe or not. The idea of the project is to improve and to be more competitive next season.’
Everton’s European hopes have been dented by eight defeats at Goodison but head for London Sunday among the best travellers in the Premier League.
Ancelotti, a record three-time Champions League winner, says the success of English teams in Europe this season underlines the size of the task of Everton to break through even into the Europa League qualifying places.
‘I totally agree that the Premier League is the most difficult competition in the world. To qualify for Europe through the Premier League is not easy because there are fantastic teams here who are already fighting for the Champions League and Europa League.’
Everton will be boosted at the London Stadium by the availability of midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure who has missed two months after fracturing a bone in his foot.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com