Colombian press demands Real to let James Rodriguez play

It is two separate tales for James Rodriguez when he plays for Colombia and when he plays for Colombia, and MARCA spoke to five Colombian journalists to better understand the player and what he means to the country.

A lack of minutes under Zinedine Zidane has led to some frustration across the Cafetero nation, but the player still has a lot to prove despite a successful first season at Los Blancos.

"In Colombia, people aren't patient with James Rodriguez and always want him to play everything, even at Real Madrid," said Laura Hernandez of Red+ Noticias. "He needs to prove he is ready to start for Madrid."

Some in the midfielder's native land believes the Spanish press has made it an overblown story, exaggerating the conflict between player and coach, or the demand for more playing time.

"The Spanish press has exaggerated the situation," said Juan Diego Ramirez of El Espectador.

Leaving in search for more playing time, while tempting, isn't necessarily the answer either.

"If Rodriguez were to leave Real Madrid, he'd be proving his detractors right," said Juan Pablo Coronado of Win Sports.

For others, a lack of playing time is the reason the Colombian icon is playing below his abilities.

"Zidane has made him feel less important, which has diminished his play," Faban Rozo of Espn pointed out.

Though some differences will inevitably remain, one thing is clear: a happy and in-form James Rodriguez is in both Real Madrid's and Colombia's best interests.

How to get there is another question altogether.

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Cristiano Ronaldo wound up in training

If Zinedine Zidane can find a way to utilise a visibly-frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo and turn his apparent fury into a fierce performance against Borussia Dortmund, then the Real Madrid coach truly has the midas touch.

During a rondo passing-and-pressing session as the side trained at Signal Iduna Park, the winger became continually annoyed by his teammates keeping hold of the ball.

A number of times Ronaldo showed his frustration, none more so than when he picks up the ball and hoofs it away from the group after James Rodriguez clipped his wrist with a pass.

Best seen towards the end of the video, watch the moment above.

Real Madrid Rejects Chelsea Loan Deal For James Rodriguuez

Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez might still end up leaving Real Madrid even though the club has already rejected a loan offer from English Premier League club Chelsea. It is believed that Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is open to a deal only if it is permanent, and not a loan arrangement.

Just days before the summer transfer window closes on Aug. 31, The Mirror reports that Chelsea and Real Madrid failed to come to an agreement on James Rodriguez. Chelsea reportedly proposed to sign the midfielder on a loan deal, but the European Champions are only keen on a high-stakes deal. The club needs to recover the £65 million that they spent on James, following a stellar performance in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Speculations about a move to other clubs started to increase after James appeared to have fallen out of favor at the Santiago Bernabeu. He barely started in the 2015/16 La Liga season. Thanks to several injuries at the start of the new season, he managed to clock in some minutes in the past month. He played in the UEFA Super Cup victory against Sevilla and also managed to appear in the team’s first two La Liga matches. However, it is still way below the expectations brought about by the hype that came with his arrival two years ago.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane assures fans that he is trying to treat James fairly, along with the other players. “He is a Real player and he is under contract. It’s true that he has played less minutes and that can be a problem. I always try to make every player feel important. James is the same as the others.”

With a team that has an abundant number of highly rated players, elbowing for position has been a constant struggle. James Rodriguez could potentially get more playing time in a different club, but it remains to be seen if any last-minute deal could be reached. Apart from Chelsea, Italian champions Juventus are reportedly interested.

James is Real Madrid's greatest mystery

James Rodríguez is Madrid’s greatest mystery this summer. Florentino wants to keep him, because in certain ways he’s the prototype galáctico: an exquisite attacking midfielder who is number one in his country (and a rather large country, at that). But he doesn’t convince Zidane though. One of the things that Florentino likes is a complete team, where attack and defence come together, where some players have good feet and others strong legs, where some sit and wait and others cover every blade. In other words, a team which fully compliments each other.

JAMES RODRIGUEZ JESUS AGUILERA (DIARIO AS)

James can be in a class of his own, but...

James can be in class of his own and he started formidably well at the Bernabéu.Ancelotti achieved the miracle of combining the BBC with a midfield made of Modric, Kroos and James (and sometimes Isco). It worked thanks to the hard work of those midfield three, and if he missed out on league titles it was largely due to the long absences of Modric. But inside the space of a year, Kroos continued to impress while James, not so much. And Benítez paid the price. Not long after arriving, Zidane reformed the team with Casemiro coming in. As attacking midfielders, James and Isco were left out, and as long as the BBC plays there won’t be any room for them. So now, the roles of James and Isco are reduced to mostly sitting on the substitutes’ bench, with extra pressure coming from the competition provided by Asensio, who’s not a bad player either.

Selling James could fund Pogba move

James let himself down last season. His wife (who is goalkeeper David Ospina’s sister) spent months in Bogotá taking part in the Colombian version of the TV programme ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and the sudden state of bachelorhood seemed to affect him. When he played, he was different and much worse than we’d gotten used to. Selling him could open up a lot of funds, and who knows, help contribute to the arrival of Pogba. Zidane, in that case, would have a lot more vigour in the centre of the park.

James Rodriguez does not fear Brazil

Colombia's loss to Costa Rica on Saturday evening set up a potential meeting with Brazil in the quarter-finals, but James Rodriguez is not fazed by the thought.

After finishing behind the USA in Group A, James and co. will face the winner of Group B at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Friday.

That could be any one of Brazil, Peru or Ecuador, with the five-time world champions the current leaders.

"Playing against great national teams is the dream," the Real Madrid player said.

"We are players who want to play big matches.

"We are also a big team ourselves and can compete against any good side."

The No.10 also addressed Los Cafeteros' poor performance against Costa Rica, in which James only played the second half after being rested along with other starters.

"I think if we played like that in the quarter-finals or semi-finals we'd go out," he added.

"We have to win this Friday."

Colombia will learn who their next round opponents are after Brazil's meeting with Peru and Ecuador's fixture against Haiti, both of which take place on Sunday evening.

Real Madrid 3-2 Valencia: Ronaldo double sees Blancos beat stubborn Che

The star forward bagged a brace and Karim Benzema score the crucial third to ensure La Liga's title race goes to the final day

A brace from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid to a 3-2 win over Valencia that ensures they go into the final day of the Liga season as Barcelona's only challengers for the title.

Ronaldo's 48th and 49th goals of another prolific season, which sandwiched a Karim Benzema strike, earned Zinedine Zidane's side an 11th-straight league win to keep them within a point of champions Barca, who hammered Espanyol 5-0.

Victory moves Madrid above neighbours and Champions League final opponents Atletico, who lost 2-1 at already-relegated Levante to drop out of the title race, and means they visit Deportivo La Coruna next weekend knowing that a 12th win on the spin could see them overhaul Luis Enrique's team in the most dramatic of circumstances. 

Madrid were comfortable for much of Sunday's game at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Valencia indebted to goalkeeper Diego Alves for restricting Ronaldo and co to three goals.

Ronaldo opened the scoring with an excellent finish midway through the first half, before Benzema added a second shortly before the interval.

Valencia reduced the arrears early in the second half through Rodrigo - who was later sent off - but Ronaldo's 33rd Liga goal of the campaign just before the hour sealed the points, although Madrid did endure a nervy final eight minutes thanks to Andre Gomes' late goal.

Ronaldo struggled to get involved in the early stages, but he was on hand to break the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Just seconds after forcing Alves into a good save low to his right, Ronaldo collected Marcelo's pass and shot unerringly back across the keeper from 20 yards.

The out-of-favour James Rodriguez played as if he had a point to prove after being recalled to Zidane's starting XI, and an excellent free-kick delivery from the Colombian almost provided Madrid with a second soon after Ronaldo's opener, only for Sergio Ramos to nod wide.

Valencia should have been level when Joao Cancelo tamely side-footed over when it seemed easier to score, and the Portuguese's misery was compounded when he inadvertently set up Benzema for Madrid's second three minutes before the break.

Alves initially made a superb save from Benzema's flicked effort, before the ball rebounded off Cancelo and back to the Frenchman, who swivelled and tucked past Alves at his near post.

Madrid sought to put the game beyond doubt early in the second half but they were frustrated by Alves, who made a brilliant reaction stop from Benzema's powerful header.

However, Valencia skipper Dani Parejo served a warning when he clipped the crossbar with a free-kick that had Kiko Casilla well beaten, before the visitors pulled a goal back in the 55th minute.

Raphael Varane failed to clear a low cross from the left properly, and Rodrigo side-footed home from 18 yards.

But Madrid restored their two-goal lead just four minutes later and, somewhat inevitably, it was Ronaldo who got the goal, as he latched onto a slide-rule pass from the impressive James and fired high past Alves with his left foot.

Ronaldo was then withdrawn for Alvaro Arbeloa, making his final Madrid appearance at the Bernabeu, before Gomes pulled one back and Rodrigo saw red for dissent in an eventful ending to an entertaining match.

Paper Talk: Zlatan hint; Roma put fee on United, Chelsea target

Manchester United are closing in on a £250,000 a week deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Roma want £35million for Radja Nainggolan, while Man City will battle Juventus for a Real Madrid star, according to Friday morning’s newspapers.

UNITED CLOSE IN ON ZLATAN DEAL

Manchester United have reportedly met with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s representatives as they close in on a sensational summer move for the Swede.

According to the Daily Star, United  executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward hopes to tempt Ibrahimovic with a two-year deal worth a staggering £250,000-a-week – worth £24million to the player.

The 34-year-old will be a free agent in June after failing to agree a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain, where he has won four straight league titles.

Ibrahimovic is also a target of Arsenal and Chelsea, but United are willing to blow them out of the water and flex their financial muscle.

The deal on offer would make Ibrahimovic one of the highest-paid stars in English football.

A club source reportedly told the paper: “The team needs a major injection of talent and some superstar additions.

“Zlatan fits the bill. He might be getting on a bit but he can still do it at the highest level and would be worth the risk in terms of big wages because no fee is involved.”

The paper also suggests the news gives another ‘strong indication’ that Louis van Gaal is heading for the Old Trafford exit at the end of this season.

Van Gaal has clung to his job for months, despite overseeing another disappointing campaign at the helm.

But Van Gaal and Ibrahimovic have a mutual dislike for each other after falling out during their time together at Ajax in 2004.

ROMA DEMAND £35M FOR MAN UNITED AND CHELSEA TARGET

Roma have slapped a £35million price-tag on midfielder Radja Nainggolan.

That is according to Italian publication Tuttosport, who claim Roma are keen to send a clear message that they want to keep hold of the Belgian.

But the Giallorossi will reportedly consider any offer over £35m for a player they paid Cagliari £15m for in January 2014.

Football Italia claim Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester United and Serie A rivals Juventus are all interested in Nainggolan’s services.Incoming Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is reportedly keen to make Nainggolan his first signing at Stamford Bridge, while United have been keeping tabs on him since the summer.It is unlikely Nainggolan would accept a move to Juve, however, after he mocked the Italian champions following his move to Roma last summer.”I don’t think it’s necessary to go into a star-studded team to win a trophy. I am in a great side and I want to win with the Giallorossi,” he said in July.“For me it’s better to win one trophy at Roma than 10 at Juventus.”

CITY TO BATTLE JUVENTUS FOR ISCO

Manchester City and Juventus are ready to battle it out for Real Madrid midfielder Isco and James Rodriguez could also be heading for the exit at the Bernabeu.

Isco is set to be chased out of the club by a “furious” manager Zinedine Zidane in the summer, but he won’t be short of suitors .

He is already at the centre of a tug-of-war between the Blues and Italian champions Juve after the Premier League club made further contact with the player.

The Daily Mirror understands Zidane had planned to make Isco a key part of his team, having being impressed by him when working as part of Carlo Ancelotti’s staff.

Ancelotti even compared the player’s style and potential to Zidane’s – but the new boss has been “shocked” by the playmaker’s lack of application and poor attitude since taking over.

City had a deal in place to sign former Malaga star Isco when Manuel Pellegrini arrived from that Spanish club in summer 2013, only for late interest from the Bernabeu to turn his head.

The arrival of Pep Guardiola, of whom Isco has heard only glowing reports, and the chance to earn many times in excess of his current £2million per year salary, are factors that senior City figures believe will convince the Isco to join the Etihad club.

AND THE REST

Arsenal and Liverpool have been given encouragement in their bid to sign Spain striker Alvaro Morata (Daily Mail)

Liverpool may offer striker Christian Benteke, 25, as part of a deal to land Roma’s Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, 21, who is currently on loan at Empoli (Daily Mirror)

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is preparing a summer move for Stuttgart and Serbia left winger Filip Kostic, 23, although work permit issues could hamper the move (Bild)

U21 boss Gareth Southgate says England are right to be cautious about calling up Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford (Daily Star)

Mario Gotze has been linked to Liverpool and his team mate Thomas Muller admits the 2014 World Cup final goal scorer ‘might not be satisfied at Bayern Munich’ (Daily Mail)

Leeds midfielder Lewis Cook is a £10m summer transfer target for Everton and Stoke (The Sun)

Former Swansea boss Garry Monk has emerged as a leading contender for the Aston Villa job, with Remi Garde considered likely to leave (The Sun)

World Cup winning Germany midfielder Toni Kroos thinks England have a good chance at Euro 2016 (The Sun)

Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata has been linked with a shock move to Turkish side Fenerbahce (Daily Express)

Roma have reportedly slapped a £35m price-tag on midfielder Radja Nainggolan, who is a possible target for Chelsea and Manchester United (Daily Express)

West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace are both eyeing a move for Werder Bremen midfielder Florian Grillitsch, 20 (Birmingham Mail)

Brighton & Hove Albion are giving a trial to Manchester City’s Nigeria youth international defender Nathaniel Oseni, 19 (Brighton Argus)

Newcastle United striker Adam Armstrong, 19, will stay on loan at League One Coventry City as Magpies boss Rafael Benitez does not want to scar him in a relegation fight. Armstrong has scored 19 goals in 33 league appearances for the Sky Blues (Newcastle Chronicle)