The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe has recently heaped praise on Everton’s Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez following his performance against West Bromwich Albion.
On Friday last week, it emerged in a report by the Liverpool Echo that the Toffees may not have had to pay anything by way of a transfer fee to seal Rodriguez’s arrival from Real Madrid this summer.
Since his arrival, though, the 29-year-old midfielder has made an instant impact for the Toffees as he has picked up an 8.30/10 average rating across his two Premier League outings (per WhoScored).
In the recent 5-2 victory over the Baggies, the Colombian bagged a goal and an assist for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
So, in the latest episode of the All Together Now podcast, O’Keeffe made an appearance and heaped praise on Everton’s summer signing.
He said: “We’re going to have to think of more words [to praise him] if we’re running out of them, because it’s going to be a long season, we’re going [to be] using the same old adjectives.
“Do you think it’s premature to say he’s already answered people who doubted whether or not he could do it in the Premier League or whether or not he’s still an elite player? Is it a bit premature after two games? I’m not so sure.
“I’d say what we’ve seen is a player who looks of a level of Bayern and Real Madrid. So, it just shows you – Real Madrid, obviously, he just didn’t fit in with [Zinedine] Zidane – but he could’ve gone anywhere, really.
“I’m still sometimes, without sounding corny, pinching myself that a player who could walk into most teams is at Everton because, in that moment for his goal, he’s going to change games for us.”
TIF Thoughts…
As can be seen in what O’Keeffe had to say about the Colombian, he clearly believes that the 29-year-old midfielder is already proving his doubters wrong.
Do you believe that James Rodriguez could be Everton's best player this season?
No, we've got some better
Yes, he is sheer quality
Certainly, the fact that he has been the sixth-best performer in the entire Premier League after just two matches (per WhoScored) backs up what the journalist said.