Former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov believes James Rodriguez looks like a ’new man’ following his move to Everton.
The 29-year-old signed a two-year deal at Goodison Park with the option of a third, bringing his six-year spell with Real Madrid to an end earlier this month.
The Colombia international has once again linked up with Carlo Ancelotti, who brought took him to Real in 2014 and signed him on a two-year loan for Bayern Munich back in 2017.
Rodriguez - who has also enjoyed spells with Porto, Monaco and Bayern Munich during his time in Europe - helped his new side to a 1-0 win over Tottenham on his debut.
And his class showed again at the weekend as he was the star performer as the Blues made it two from two in the Premier League with a 5-2 win over West Brom.
The playmaker scored and set another up at Goodison Park, and Berbatov believes Rodriguez’s decision to leave Real Madrid is already paying off and that Ancelotti is the perfect boss for the forward.
“James Rodriguez looks like a new man at Everton,” the former Bulgaria international told Betfair.
“When you join a new club, you are often extra inspired, and he was like this when he went to Madrid first, and looks like the same for Everton.
“Bear in mind it has only been two games, but so far, he is amazing.
"His left foot is magic, and right now everything is going in his favour.
“I don't necessarily think Madrid did too much wrong, sometimes these things just happen. Like Bale, it just gets to a point where the players aren't coming back from where they got to and they need to move on.
“Carlo Ancelotti is the right man for James to go to, and the two can succeed together.
No matter how big you are, the team you leave will go on existing and probably succeeding, no one is bigger than any one club.
“Real Madrid will be fine, it is a new chapter in the life of James. Bale is more interesting as he is on loan, and stranger things have happened than for him to do well and Madrid to want him back.”
*What are your expectations for Everton this season? Have your say in the comments section.
