Benitez told pull Rodriguez U-turn at Everton after Athletic update - pundit
Paul Robinson has urged Rafael Benitez to reintegrate James Rodriguez into the Everton squad after a summer move failed to materialise.
The former Spurs goalkeeper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Colombian would be "a drain on the club" otherwise.
The Athletic reported on Monday (September 6th) Rodriguez, who is currently on £200,000-a-week, was unwilling to take a pay cut in order to move to Porto.
The 30-year-old and Benitez reportedly "did not see eye to eye" when the pair were at Real Madrid.
Rodriguez signed for the Goodison Park club last summer on a free transfer from Los Blancos.
Robinson believes the playmaker needs to be brought in from the cold.
“I think when you’ve got a player of that undoubted quality, you need to get him to work in the system you want to play," he told Football Insider's Dylan Childs.
“It would be beneficial for the club to get him performing week in, week out rather than just sitting around taking up a big chunk of the wage bill.
“If he is going to end up stuck at Everton, the manager needs to get the best out of him. If not, he is just going to be a drain on the club."
Rodriguez made 26 appearances last season, scoring six and providing nine across all competitions.
However, the former Bayern Munich star has failed to appear for the Toffees this term following an extended quarantine period.