James Rodriguez is in my plans till August 31, says Everton’s Rafael Benitez

Everton midfielder James Rodriguez faces an unsure future on the Premier League membership, with supervisor Rafa Benitez saying on Friday that the Colombian worldwide was a part of his plans till August 31 when the transer window closes.
Rodriguez missed Everton’s opening 3-1 residence win over Southampton final weekend as he was isolating because of COVID-19 rules, with Benitez stating that he hoped to search out the ‘best solution’ for the workforce and the participant.
British media have linked the 30-year-old with a change to Italian facet AC Milan.
“A lot of speculation. We have to work with the players that are here. Until August 31, yes, he’s in my plans,” Benitez advised a information convention forward of Saturday’s journey to Leeds United.
“Hopefully he’ll be fine for next week and he can carry on with training sessions, and we can see what happens until the end of the transfer window.”
Benitez mentioned striker Moise Kean, one other participant linked with a transfer away from the Merseyside membership, was accessible after lacking the sport towards the Saints.
“Still we have some issues. It’s not just two to three days. Kean for example was coming back so we have some new faces but still some problems,” Benitez added.
Benitez additionally mentioned Everton has signed 37-year-old goalkeeper Andy Lonergan on a deal till the top of the season after teenager Harry Tyrer suffered a quadriceps harm in coaching, with Everton’s Portuguese Joao Virginia set for a mortgage transfer.
The Spaniard expects a troublesome take a look at from Leeds, who was thrashed 5-1 by Manchester United in its opener.
“Marcelo Bielsa’s teams are intense, they run a lot. We have to manage that, match their intensity – and, at the same time, we have to play well,” Benitez mentioned.