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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

James Rodriguez admits "I don't even know who Everton is playing" amid transfer speculation

Everton's James Rodriguez admits he had no idea who the club were playing this weekend as he continues to be linked with a move away.

The Toffees beat Southampton in their Premier League opener without the Colombian.

This weekend they take on Leeds at Elland Road but their playmaker arrived at training this week not having a clue who they were playing.

Rodriguez has only spent 12 months at Goodison Park having signed from Real Madrid last summer.

Carlo Ancelotti was a huge pull for the Colombian, but his departure has now cast doubt over his future with the player's interest up for debate.

"'I will start training on Monday, I think", Rodriguez explained on his stream.

"On the weekend I will not play, I don't even know who Everton is playing, can you please tell me?'

"I think it is away because the past was here at home," he said shortly after, "Ah, against Leeds they play, away from home, against (Marcelo) Bielsa, a difficult game, let's see what happens, hopefully they win."

Rodriguez missed Everton's opener on Merseyside and has admitted previously that his own future is up in the air.

"I don't know what's going to happen," he told the fans. "I don't know – I don't know where I'm going to play.

"You know that in football and in life you don't know anything, but all I know is that I've been training hard, preparing well, training for myself and that's it.

"It's complicated. [I will play] wherever I'm wanted. Someone has to be at a place they're wanted."

Rodriguez recorded six goals and nine assists in 26 appearances during his debut year.

It remains to be seen however whether he is part of Rafa Benitez's plans going forward.

Rafa Benitez and the Colombian have clashed previously (LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)

The former Liverpool boss took over from Ancelotti and has bought in the likes of Andros Townsend, Asmir Begovic and Demarai Gray.

Benitez and Rodriguez have previously clashed during their time in Madrid.

The Spanish tactician reportedly asked the player to cut short his summer vacation after the Copa America to join up with the team's pre-season tour of Australia - something Rodriguez declined to do.

The Colombian was left out of various games with Benitez claiming his absence was "a technical decision and not a personal one.”

Jibes continued between the pair as Rodriguez hitting back at apparent fitness concerns.

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