Tuesday 10 January 2017 13:29, UK
Terry Gibson believes James Rodriguez is a victim of Real Madrid’s success and Zinedine Zidane’s style of play, and not an expensive failure.
James, who cost £71m when he moved to Real from Monaco in 2014, has vowed to stay and fight for his place at the Bernabeu following reports of a January move.
The 25-year-old playmaker has started just four La Liga matches for Real, who lead second-place Sevilla by four points with a game in hand.
Gibson says Zidane's success has limited James' opportunities, and the Sky Sports' Spanish football expert believes the Colombian international has impressed when given the chance.
"I don't think it's in James' interest to go this month because if he does, he's giving up on the Champions League," Gibson told the La Liga Weekly podcast.
"We have seen in the past, like with Angel Di Maria when he was struggling to get a game and he changed positions after a vacancy opened up and he became a go-to player for Carlo Ancelotti. Things like that happen in football.
"I am a huge fan of James Rodriguez and refute the claim that he has been a failure at Real Madrid. I think he has been a victim rather than a failure.
"Whenever he has played, he has contributed in terms of scoring goals, making goals and showing his all-round talents. He's been a victim of the success Zidane has had playing a particular style and particular formation, which has led to him not being selected.
"His best position clearly is behind the striker, whether that's behind two strikers or one, his best position is the No 10 role and that isn't one Real Madrid have used in recent times.
"There have been a number of victims - Mesut Ozil, that was his favourite position, and Sergio Canales and Kaka too. It is not just under Zidane."
James' situation has been compared to team-mate Isco's, another creative attacking midfielder who has struggled for playing time.
But Gibson says the Spaniard's ability to play in several midfield positions has strengthened his claim for a first-team place as Isco has emerged as a key player for Zidane since Gareth Bale's injury.
"I am a massive fan of both players," Gibson added. "Real Madrid have the desire to buy the glamorous player that plays in the glamorous position and it likewise goes for Isco. You have to try and adapt.
"In James Rodriguez's case, I think he is better in a system playing as one of a front three whereas Isco can play in both.
"He can play in an attacking role and he can play as an orthodox midfielder in the place of Toni Kroos or Luka Modric. That gives Isco the slight edge in terms of getting more playing time.
"James will cost a huge sum of money if he does leave in the summer. The club that buys him will have to play him because there can be no concessions.
"They cannot buy him and say, 'We're going to play 4-4-2 and you have to play on the left flank and track back.' They have to want that particular type of player."
