Sport360° view: Replacing Di Maria increases the pressure on Rodriguez

Andy West 12:38 23/07/2014
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  • "When the new season gets underway his reputation will count for nothing."

    Considering their transfer policy, it’s no surprise whatsoever to see Real Madrid splash out €80 million on James Rodriguez.

    Ever since president Florentino Perez unleashed the ‘Galactico’ era by snatching Luis Figo away from Barcelona in the summer of 2000, the Bernabeu club have sought to embellish their reputation as the most glamorous club in the world by signing the hottest available talent at every opportunity.

    And following his dazzling displays for Colombia in the World Cup, there’s currently no hotter property than James, whose youthful good looks and easy-going, highly marketable personality further add to the attraction.

    When the serious business of the new season gets underway a month from now, though, James’ recently acquired reputation will count for nothing and he’ll be expected to start delivering on the field of play immediately.

    He will come straight into the starting line-up – Perez has not forked out one of the most expensive transfer fees in history for a bench-warming long-term development project – where he will slot into the centre of midfield, playing ahead of fellow new boy Toni Kroos and flanked by the pace and power of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

    – Who is James Rodriguez? All you need to know about Real Madrid's 'Pibe Nueva'

    Those four magnificent talents firing on all cylinders alongside each other is a mouth-watering prospect indeed, perhaps matched only by the awesome potential offered by Barcelona’s new attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

    And with Atletico Madrid seeking to replicate last season’s unlikely title-winning exploits, it all adds up to a fascinating new La Liga campaign.

    It also, however, leaves Angel Di Maria high and dry, and amid the excitement generated by James’ arrival we should also spare a thought for the unlucky Argentine.

    Di Maria, don’t forget, enjoyed a superb run of form towards the end of last season. That was especially the case on the most important occasions, with the former Benfica man scoring an excellent opening goal in Madrid’s Copa del Rey final victory over Barca and then turning in a man of the match display in the thrilling Champions League triumph against Atletico.

    To find himself usurped by an inexperienced new boy after producing such impressive and decisive performances is harsh to say the least, and there is more than an element of uncertainty over the reasons for Di Maria’s impending departure from the Bernabeu: was he pushed, or did he jump?

    One line of argument claims Di Maria asked to leave the club after having his request for a lucrative new contract turned down, forcing Los Blancos into turning their attention to James as a replacement.

    The other side of the coin suggests Di Maria wanted to stay but has been ruthlessly cast aside due to his club’s insistence upon overshadowing Barca’s capture of Suarez by signing James.

    Either way, Di Maria’s departure will not be widely welcomed by Madrid fans, who appreciate the way he adapted to a new position. James, evidently, is a very good player indeed.

    But so is the man he has been signed to replace, and he will be under heavy pressure to deliver the goods – with no delay.

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