A Solomonic decision has been made by the president of Rayo Vallecano, Raúl Martín Presa, regarding the controversy that is already brewing between his star signing and his coach.
The leader insisted on bringing James Rodríguez this summer and against everything and everyone he achieved it. He even said that the first games in which he did not count revealed that coach Íñigo Pérez had to reluctantly accept the arrival of the Copa América MVP although he never asked for it.
But time passed, the Colombian knew how to fit into the group well and has been patient to wait for an opportunity. However, this weekend, in the hard-fought 1-0 victory against Alavés, he did not even come off the bench and rumors of a possible difference between him and his coach spread, according to what was said on the program El Chiringuito.
I support both
The truth is that Presa wanted to put an end to those versions and before the match, which had overtones of a feat since a good part of the match was played with ten in Vallecas, he supported his great figure and his young but efficient coach equally.
“James is a great player, he has been the best player in the Copa América, he is nominated for best player now in the awards. We are delighted to have him, he is a player who, when he comes out like the other day in Valladolid, gave us the victory and was a differential player. James’ quality is unquestionable, but Íñigo knows what he is doing very well,” he said in a conversation with DAZN.
Giving both of them their share of recognition is the objective: “Yes, we have the opportunity to see James and win, so double satisfaction, but the important thing is to win regardless of who plays.”
Now James will surely enter the rotation plan that usually occurs in the Copa del Rey, where those who have little competition play. The match against Villamuriel will be this Tuesday (1:00 pm).
Íñigo himself advanced it, without directly mentioning James: “Everyone is happy because your team has won, but you feel certain sadness if you did not participate. I empathize a lot with them. Trejo, Raúl and the rest who haven’t come out today will play because I think they deserve it. “It’s what I have to do as a coach.” With number 10 his participation barely reaches 5 games and 123 minutes. Against this type of rival there seems to be no excuse for him to add his second start.
