Barcelona; Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has opened the door to out-of-favour midfielder James Rodriguez leaving the club by admitting the player’s lack of appearances could become a problem.
The Colombia international joined Real in 2014 for a reported €80 million (Dh331.8 million) after earning the Golden Boot at the World Cup with six goals in five games.
After a successful first season in Spain, he has failed to hold down a regular place since Zidane took charge in January. Rodriguez was excluded from the starting line-up in the European Super Cup win over Sevilla and last week’s 3-0 La Liga victory at Real Sociedad.
Spanish sports newspaper AS reported on Friday that Rodriguez will seek a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu if he does not start against Celta Vigo on Saturday.
“James is a Real Madrid player and he has a contract with us but it’s true that he has played less than others and that could prove a problem,” Zidane told a news conference on Friday.
“I always try to make my players feel important and James is no different than the rest.
“Anything could happen between now and August 31 [when the transfer window closes],” Zidane added.
“I’m sure no one else is going to arrive but players could leave. I have a squad now and I’m happy with it and some players are going to return [from injury].”
Real produced a dominant performance last week at Sociedad without goalkeeper Keylor Navas, midfielder Luka Modric and forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Modric is free to play against Celta after completing a suspension but the other three remain out injured. Midfielder Isco sustained an ankle problem in training and will also miss the game.
“The performance at Real Sociedad is the way to go and now we’re facing another difficult team who know how to play good football,” added Zidane.
“But this is our first home game and with our fans behind us we’ll try and get the three points.”
Meanwhile, new Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has pledged to fight fellow goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for his place in the team after joining the La Liga champions from Ajax.
The Netherlands international was presented at the Nou Camp on Friday after sealing his move on a five-year deal for €13 million.
Claudio Bravo, who moved to Manchester City on Thursday, played the club’s league fixtures and Ter Stegen featured in the King’s Cup and Champions League games after the pair joined Barca in 2014.
Ter Stegen is expected to be Luis Enrique’s first choice in La Liga and the Champions League.
“The coach will decide but I’m going to make things tough for him,” Cillessen told a news conference on Friday.
“Together me and Marc have to try and keep the coach guessing. It will be different at Ajax but I’m sure that Barcelona will gain a lot.
“Marc is a great goalkeeper with marvellous qualities and I would like to be at the same level as him,” added Cillessen on his new teammate and rival for the number one spot.
“I’ve come here to make things difficult for the coach but I’m not Ter Stegen’s enemy, we’re friends. I know that it’s going to be difficult to play here because there’s a lot of competition.”
Cillessen is the fifth player to join Barcelona this summer, following Denis Suarez, Andre Gomes, Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne to the Nou Camp.
Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez revealed the club have one target remaining before the transfer window closes on August 31, Valencia forward Paco Alcacer.
“It’s Alcacer or no one,” Fernandez said on Friday.
“He’s a player that interests us a lot and we are working towards it.” Barcelona confirmed that Brazilian full back Douglas had joined Sporting Gijon on loan for the season and midfielder and academy graduate Sergi Samper has moved to Granada on loan.
