Alan Myers has reported that James Rodriguez will not be returning to Everton during the summer window.
In answer to a fan via X on July 12, the Sky Sports pundit denied rumors that the Colombian star could rejoin the Toffees.
The 33-year-old Rodriguez sparked rumors among Evertonians earlier this year when, on May 14, he responded on Instagram to a request for him to come back to Goodison Park by suggesting a “final dance.”
However, Myers has ruled out the Colombia captain doing the same, even though Dele Alli would now be in position to re-sign for Sean Dyche’s team during negotiations with Tottenham over amended payment terms after his contract expired [The Athletic, July 12].
Having first joked that it might happen, he issued the straightforward message, “He’s not returning.”
The fact that Carlo Ancelotti brought the former Real Madrid player to Everton still sticks out as a clear indication of how quickly the team’s fortunes fell when the Champions League-winning manager left.
In sentimental terms, a sizable portion of Everton supporters may want to see the attacking midfield player reinstated in order to make up for Rafa Benitez’s decision to bench him during the Spaniard’s disastrous tenure as manager.
James was deemed too old by Benitez at the time [GOAL], but some striking performances at this summer’s Copa America seem to have disproved that over three years later [Guardian, 10 July].
It makes sense that fans were ready to accept him when he hinted at a return since there have been moments over the last several seasons when the Toffees have been begging for the kind of creativity he can offer.
However, if they are considering bringing Dele back, there seems to be some interest in adding the former mercurial midfield star, who goes by his first name, and there had been some suggestions of interest a year ago [AS Colombia]. In practical terms, though, it appears that the ship has sailed for the Toffees.
James may have to be regarded with Ancelotti on Merseyside as what might have been, even if he was still reasonably priced. Barring the kind of stunning comeback that would cast even the Jaden Philogene race in the shadow, James is arguably no more a Sean Dyche player than he was a Benitez one.
In other Everton news, the team plans to sell four first-team players in order to raise money for the upcoming window.
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