While the 6,000 Evertonians heading back to Goodison Park on Wednesday night would’ve been excited to get back in the stadium to see their team, all would’ve felt a tinge of disappointment when the starting lineup was confirmed an hour before kick off.
James Rodriguez, the player fans have been desperate to see in royal blue all season, was not part of the squad for the Wolverhampton Wanderers game.
It was later confirmed by manager Carlo Ancelotti that the playmaker would miss the game because he was feeling “fatigued” after the dismal loss to Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday.
https://twitter.com/philkecho/status/1395054513761947654?s=20
In the end, Evertonians went home happy, as Richarlison’s bullet header was enough for them to get over the line for only the second time at home in 2021 in the Premier League.
But Rodriguez’s absence, the latest in a string of small layoffs over the course of the campaign, gives Everton another potential problem to solve in the summer window.
When the 29-year-old has played this term he’s been the creative force behind Everton’s best football. His ability to find space, thread passes and offer a productive influence in the final third is not something any player in the squad can do as consistently when available.
He covered a higher percentage of distance walking v Sheffield Utd than any previous game for Everton. Also his lowest returns for time spent low/high speed running
— Matt Cheetham (@Matt_Cheetham) May 19, 2021
The issue for Everton is that they simply can’t get Rodriguez on the pitch enough for him to be a player to build around. It means that when he’s not available, there’s a huge creative void in the team and the style of play alters significantly; the lad everyone wants to pass the ball to is suddenly not there.
The Toffees will need to address this in the summer. While a right-back, a right winger and another central midfielder have long been considered priorities for the transfer window, Rodriguez’s latest absences have brought into focus the need for another player who can add some stardust in attack.
If Everton can get that, it may take some pressure off the Colombian next season, when he will be looking to build form and fitness after a debut season of ups and downs in England.