JAMES RODRIGUEZ has one of the best left feet EVER — and that comes from a man who was team-mates with Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale.
Dimitar Berbatov played with the new Everton star at Monaco in 2014 and saw first-hand the Colombian at the peak of his powers.
James Rodriguez has signed for Everton to again link up with Carlo AncelottiCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Dimitar Berbatov and James Rodriguez were team-mates at MonacoCredit: AFP – Getty
The ex-Manchester United striker was stunned by Rodriguez’s ability during their six months together at the French giants.
His scintillating form saw him earn a £63million switch to Real Madrid after a stunning World Cup where he won the Golden Boot.
Six years on and Rodriguez’s once feared reputation has diminished. But Berba believes his move to Everton — who finished last season in 12th — could rekindle a fizzling career because of his relationship with Carlo Ancelotti.
Berbatov lauded Rodriguez’s left-footCredit: Getty – Contributor
Former Tottenham ace Berbatov said: “His left foot is magic, one of the best left feet ever, honestly.
“I wasn’t surprised he went to Everton. Sometimes you need to take one step back to step forward.
“He didn’t play much at Real Madrid and he now needs a place to go where he will know that he is going to be a starter.
“It can bring his confidence back. It was the same situation that I was in, in my last year with United.
“I didn’t play as much as I wanted, so I wanted to go somewhere else, to Fulham with Martin Jol.
Colombian Rodriguez burst onto the scene thanks to a thunderbolt in the 2014 World Cup against UruguayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I knew the team were going to start me. I needed to bring my confidence back.
“He’s going to Ancelotti and he worked with him at another three clubs. They have a connection. For him that will hopefully will be a great move.
“The moment you know the manager is going to trust you, it doesn’t matter if you make a mistake.
“You’re going to bring everything you have and you’re going to succeed.”
Rodriguez, 29, was touted as one of the best players in the world after his six-goal heroics in Brazil.
And Berbatov, a Betfair Ambassador, reckons a £22m move to Everton can help bring back the confidence that made him a global superstar.
Rodriguez worked with Ancelotti at Real MadridCredit: AFP
Ancelotti (left) brought Rodriguez to Bayern MunichCredit: Splash News
He added: “Players are always going to have that confidence but if you don’t play for so long, you start questioning yourself. ‘Am I good enough? Why am I not playing?’.
“This can be a really bad thing for you. The more you step on to the pitch again, the more you start playing better.
“I would like to see him get back to his World Cup form but let’s not forget football is not an individual sport. He’s got another ten players on the pitch with him — every player depends on the players around them.
“He has that magic left foot that he can be the difference when the team needs him. He is coming from a different league and hopefully he can find it easy to adjust.
“The Premier League is demanding but when you know that you have the complete trust of the manager, you’re going to be free to play.
“I think he has got the attributes to flourish in the league but it might take him one, two, three games to get used to the rhythm.
“I think that he can be OK. I’m going to enjoy how he plays.”
Berbatov has also revealed his love for Amazon’s new Tottenham documentary — and wants United to follow suit.
He added: “United have to do one, for sure. They need to have a deal like this sooner or later — it would be great for people to watch.
“For fans of when I was there, to watch Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggsy, Scholes training and talking with each other, the winning and losing . . . That’s great TV.
“And in Leverkusen, when we lost the three finals, it would be great TV.
“We had crisis meetings, fighting, good times, bad times, losing the three finals . . . that would be great TV to watch for the drama.”
For more from Betfair Ambassador Dimitar Berbatov, head to www.betfair.com/berbatov
How Everton could line-up this season with James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure in Ancelotti’s new-look side
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
