Everton: Ancelotti attempts to lure Gareth Bale AND James Rodriguez
Everton is set for a very, VERY promising summer transfer window under Carlo Ancelotti…
Carlo Ancelotti was pursued by Everton because of his history, his winning, and his personality; they are all big, and they should be perfect for attracting big names to Everton. This summer, those names could include Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez, according to the Daily Mail.
While both players are currently trapped at Real Madrid with the legendary manager and former player, Zinedine Zidane, both could use a fresh start. For Gareth Bale, it would be the Premier League return long desired by his fans in Wales and England; such success and disdain mixes in Madrid currently for a sometimes noticeably toxic effect.
James Rodriguez’s story is a bit less dramatic; he hasn’t fit in under Zidane, nor a majority of the managers he played under at Bayern München. He needs a manager who can get the best out of him while managing the thoughtful and potentially genius ambition; there are those who are set to come calling after all.
Two questions emerge in this discussion; how would the players affect the Everton Toffee’s, and can Don Carlo Ancelotti lure them to the Royal Blue of Merseyside?
How Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez fit in at Everton
This is potentially the easier of the questions to answer; Bale will figure on the left side out wide, while James Rodriguez slots in to control the flow from midfield. While James is capable of playing out wide as well, I would imagine him to be a successor to Gylfi Sigurdsson in this type of role.
Why this matters is clear, it is a matter of development as much as practical function In these acquisitions. These players have played on the greatest stages in Europe and have won trophies while contributing to major statistical means as well.
In playing alongside such starlets as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and RIcharlison, they can take the pressure off of those youngsters, while simultaneously educating their young pupils in the manner of professional footballing stars.
While Bale will likely have to lay off his beloved golf to firmly contribute in this way, it is not an impossible question to pose unto him. James Rodriguez, on the other hand, would provide great organization to a young team that sometimes loses its fluidity for periods of games or entire matches.
The offence should be much more deadly as Bale is allowed to roam the left-wing in search of space to attack; Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top is terrifying as well. One could even put Richarlison on the right-wing to accommodate an aggressive Moise Kean alongside DCL.
With these innovations, it allows Everton to focus on the defensive midfield and backline; but the second of our questions remains.
Can Carlo Ancelotti lure Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez from Madrid to Merseyside?
Everton may be having an inconsistent and underwhelming campaign, but they are flush with cash from an owner who wants to be competitive. They also have a legendary manager whose flair is hoped to entice players who have big ability and be ambitions.
While both of these players are not the youngest anymore, they still have plenty to offer in multiple facets for Everton. The ability, the creativity, the execution and the experience are all crucial for the younger players of Everton to learn and imbibe.
The choice will ultimately be for the players themselves to reconcile; should they desire consistent playtime and the chance to build something meaningful, they may listen to Ancelotti’s pitch seriously.
If they do, the matter will be a closed deal; Everton has the capital and needs to spend it to create more capital in such a competitive city like Liverpool.
But what of the likelihood?
While I think this idea would have positive consequences, I do not believe it to be entirely likely. This is not to say I wouldn’t welcome such an innovation; I would undoubtedly. However, I see a few bumps that may have to be reconciled before such a magical double transfer could be completed. I have written about Everton’s interest in James Rodriguez before and there seems to be recalcitrance to acquire the player, despite the obviously positive attributes.
For Gareth Bale, his desirability is strange because while he is an all-world talent, he doesn’t seem to have an all-world love to football exclusively. While I personally find this admirable, it does not play well to the footballing community for which the sport is a religion.
Can Carlo Ancelotti be sure he is not acquiring talent past prime? Can he be sure that he is not overlooking younger talent for beloved names of years past? He cannot on any account and that may be what is weighed in the final analysis; it is a gamble that Don Carlo could win or lose, and Everton will likely change accordingly.
