TJust like what happened in his worst period with Real Madrid, every 2 or 3 days a rumor of James Rodríguez and what would be his sporting future, since now they are handling in Argentina an alleged version of what would be a move from São Paulo to Boca Juniors. And although everything is part of the traditional transfer market and the names that move in the media, opinions are divided and are reflected in the strong opinion given by Óscar Córdoba.
Many Colombians have left their mark with the blue and gold shirt, starting with Córdoba, Jorge ‘el Patrón’ Bermúdez, Mauricio ‘Chicho’ Serna, Fabián Vargas, Amaranto Perea, among others. But the recent past has been more bad than good, being Quality footballers such as Sebastián Pérez, Wilmar Barrios, Edwin Cardona, Frank Fabra, Sebastián Villa and Jorman Campuzan criticized for their lack of discipline and instability.either.
The bar in Boca is very high for foreigners, but Colombians have great memories of the Copa Libertadores champions and the Intercontinental Cup against Real Madrid itself.. So this James, without rhythm, without stability due to injuries and attitudes, who only works in the Colombian National Team, can be another failure at the same time. recent list in which Everton, Al Rayyan, Olympiacos and São Paulo can be listed.
Óscar Córdoba warns James Rodríguez if his arrival at Boca Juniors is real
The Argentine press released this news and treated it as a ‘bombshell’, to a team that has experienced players who have not responded recently such as Sergio ‘Chiquito’ Romero, Marcos Rojo, Frank Fabra, Darío Benedetto, among others. But good examples of experienced players with a good level are Luis Advíncula, Miguel Merentiel and Edinson Cavani.
Well, the information bounced around in Colombia and Córdoba, current panelist for soccer programs on ESPN Colombia, spoke clearly about what the best Rodríguez could give to the team led by Diego Martínez: “It’s no secret to anyone that James is a great player, all his talent at the service of Boca and with a sharp Cavani, would be spectacular”. But then came the blows and logical criticism for its constant irregularity:
The issue is its continuity, in an institution like Boca you have to play Sunday-Wednesday-Sunday, there are no warm waters there. And if he is not sufficiently recovered for this hustle and bustle and the demands, he can be turned over… Boca cannot give itself space at this moment with what Román (Riquelme) is playing, as a blow of opinion, he has to arrive and perform… Needs references on the field who show that they are important to the institution
As one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the ‘xenezie’ team, for many he is the best, he speaks with what he knows about the club and Juan Román Riquelme, who is today the president of the institution. And although the Colombian journalists on the program stated that they could only put James in a few games to keep him safe from his injuries, Córdoba was blunt: “Boca doesn’t allow you that. Boca, like River Plate, where they go, they fill up and they have to put the best chips for the show… If you are waiting for Boca to arrive and they say that James was left at home, they will burn you in the tribune”.
In the last moment, Córdoba has questioned the players who arrive without merit to the Colombian national teambeing the goalkeeper of the 2001 Copa América, which was the only title of the Colombian Senior National Team, referred to what the 2024 Copa América will mean. But always with a critical eye, understanding that Rodríguez did not respond last year in São Paulo because he was thinking about the national ‘Tricolor’:
They talk about this Copa América being a showcase for James and I have to tell them that yes, I feel like James is preparing for this Copa América. Finding a refusal from his coach (Luis Zubeldía) in Brazil, to be competing Wednesday-Sunday-Wednesday, it is a nice opportunity and I don’t think it will be to go to Boca
Although it sounds harsh, Córdoba knows perfectly well the demands of Argentine football, much more so of the Boca Juniors fans, and everyone knows about James’ recent injuries and losses, which is why he gave a ruling that the moment of the captain of the Colombian National Team is for a less rigorous league: “I think he should go to a league like the MLS and look for a specific type of contract, like Lionel Messi or Luis Suárez has, or return to Europe. But he has to show a complete Copa América, in full condition and showing his quality. “Everyone is waiting to see how long they can last.”.
Córdoba is an idol and reference for Boca Juniors with 3 local leagues (Apertura 1998, Clausura 1999 and Apertura 2000), 2 Copa Libertadores titles (2000 and 2001) and the Intercontinental Cup (2000) against Real Madrid. For this reason, he has the weight and authority to talk about the popular Argentine club and he did not limit himself to stating that Rodríguez’s quality and personality is proven, but the same is not true with his physique:
He has no problem holding on, the problem is if he recovers the conditions that he could not maintain in his physique with São Paulo. If he recovers that seasoning, which has relegated him from the big competitions, in Boca he has no problem. The physical part is the problem and that he begins to be part of the furniture of the medical department, that is frustrating for one and for the fan… He is important because of his name, the issue is his physical condition
And finally, Óscar Eduardo Córdoba highlighted that the 2024 Copa América will be key, because any loss or absence due to medical or physical problems is reflection of what has been happening in his last years and that is why they do not trust his return to Europe: “There were comments about his possible return to Spain and they automatically said ‘no’. People are waiting for him to show in what physical condition he is going to face a short, very demanding tournament that pushes his physique to the limit, to give confidence… He carries “6 months without playing, the next qualifying match is in September and he will accumulate 8 or 9 months without playing, but he has to show people that he is fine.”.
