NEW Everton signing James Rodriguez hopes other ‘big names’ will follow his lead by arriving at Goodison Park.
The Colombian midfielder joined The Toffees for £22million from Real Madrid and has big aspirations despite last season’s 12th-place finish.
James Rodriguez (right) in training with new side EvertonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Rodriguez, 29, reunites with boss Carlo Ancelotti for a third time after the Italian coached him at Madrid and Bayern Munich.
And former Prem ace Dimitar Berbatov believes Rodriguez can reignite his career under the guidance of his old manager.
Rodriguez said: “We can’t afford to be up and down in our performances.
“It helps obviously when you’ve got a great and hugely knowledgeable manager that we have.
“The club has proved its intent with the three signings it’s made in this window and let’s hope that, in the next few months, we can show that optimism.
“Let’s hope over the period of seasons and the next few years, other big names will come in to join us.”
Ancelotti has also added Allan from Napoli, Abdoulaye Doucoure from relegated Watford and Niels Nkounkou from Marseille to his squad for the 2020-21 Premier League season.
And Rodriguez is aiming for a return to the heady days of 15 years ago and the 2004-05 season – when Everton last finished in the top four.
He added: “There are some serious-minded people at this club who mean business about getting this club into those Champions League places and that’s very important, I think.
“Obviously you have to fight hard to get in those places and what you have to do is show consistency.
“In a Premier League season you’re talking about a game every three or four days a lot of the season, so you have to show a high standard and display a high standard of football not just every other game, but every game.”
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
