Everton coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed today, Friday, that the return of Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez will give the team a big boost in its home game against Manchester United on Saturday in the Premier League, after missing out on defeat to Newcastle United due to injury.
Rodriguez - who joined Everton from Real Madrid before the season kicked off for 20 million pounds ($ 26.29 million) - began his career promisingly at Goodison Park, scoring 3 goals and making the same in 6 Premier League matches this season.
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Taking a closer look at @jamesdrodriguez in training ahead of # EVEMUN… 👀
- Everton (@Everton) November 6, 2020
"He (James) will play tomorrow, and I hope he appears in good form," Ancelotti said at a news conference today.
He added, "I do not know if he regained 100% fitness, but we need him. Physically he is in good condition and recovered from a minor problem. We will not pay him if there is any doubt about his condition. We do not want to risk another injury."
Everton is seeking to return to the road to victories after two consecutive defeats against Southampton and Newcastle, but Ancelotti expects a difficult test against Manchester United, who finished third last season.
United are currently 15th after a poor start to the new season, but have won 6 of their seven points from away matches.
Everton is trying to finish off Manchester United, taking advantage of the crisis the team is experiencing after its poor performance and defeat by Turkish Basaksehir 2-1 in the European Champions League last Wednesday, where the team is going through a state of extreme confusion, and the matter came to searching for a new coach, according to press reports.