Benitez told to pull Rodriguez U-turn as Everton transfer plan reported – pundit
Alan Hutton has urged Rafael Benitez to bring James Rodriguez in from the cold after a move away from Everton failed to materialise.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland defender admitted he was baffled when clubs and managers choose not to use talented players outside of the transfer window.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo (2nd September), Everton are still exploring options to offload the 30-year-old after the British transfer window closed on Tuesday.
Russia, Portugal and Turkey are among the countries where clubs can still sign players until later this month.
The Colombia international who is reportedly on £200,000-a-week at Goodison Park, is said to have already rejected offers to leave.
Rodriguez has not featured at all under Benitez so far this season.
However, Hutton suggested the Spaniard should pull a U-turn and play him until January.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Sometimes I think it’s a difficult stance to take as a club. I mean he’s their highest earner.
“We know he’s a talented player, so if the window is shut, why not get the best out of that player? Sometimes I don’t get it.
“Even if you want to get rid of his wages or whatever the reason might be, if he’s there, why don’t you use him? As long as his head’s in the right place.
“If I was the manager of the club, I’d be sitting him down and saying: ‘The window’s shut now. You’re in my plans for the moment. Show me you want to play.’
“Put the ball in his court: ‘I know you’re a brilliant player but show me that. If you do that, you’ve got the opportunity to play.’ Then it suits everybody.
“One, you’ve got a happy player who’s playing well and could possibly move in the next transfer window. Two, the team is getting a decent player.
“It suits everybody to do that rather than just discard someone and say you’re not in the squad anymore. That helps nobody moving forward.”
In other news, pundit wowed as terms of multi-million Everton transfer revealed.