---
title: "Real Madrid: Los Blancos want to keep James Rodriguez"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/real-madrid-los-blancos-want-to-keep-james-rodriguez/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Callum Pragnell"
section: "La Liga News"
published: "2019-08-16T20:20:40Z"
modified: "2019-08-16T20:20:40Z"
---

# Real Madrid: Los Blancos want to keep James Rodriguez

**Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane now wants to keep hold of attacking midfielder James Rodriguez, according to Spanish radio station [Deportes COPE](https://twitter.com/partidazocope/status/1162004886915096582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1162004886915096582&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.redditmedia.com%2Fmediaembed%2Fcqrc0z%3Fresponsive%3Dtrue%26is_nightmode%3Dfalse).**

Rodriguez, who spent last season on loan at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, looked certain to depart the Bernabeu club this summer following the arrival of Eden Hazard from Chelsea after being [linked](https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2019/07/13/5d2a4a8fe2704e31758b458a.html) to Atletico Madrid.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Reports in Spain now suggest that ‘Rodriguez’s situation at Madrid has changed’, with manager Zinedine Zidane apparently thinking of using him in Los Blancos’ [La Liga curtain-raiser against Celta Vigo on Saturday](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7361093/James-Rodriguez-no-longer-transfer-market-Zinedine-Zidane-counting-him.html).

Real have endured a far from impressive pre-season this summer – [winning only three of their seven warm-up fixtures](https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/spain/real-madrid-club-de-futbol/2016/matches/) – which has thought to have changed Zidane’s mindset towards the Colombia international.

> 💥 Noticia [@deportescope](https://twitter.com/deportescope?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> ⚪️ La situación de James Rodríguez en el Real Madrid ha cambiado
>
> ☝🏻 Zidane cuenta con él y ahora mismo no está en el mercado [pic.twitter.com/JTbFw0TonJ](https://t.co/JTbFw0TonJ)
>
> — El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) [15 August 2019](https://twitter.com/partidazocope/status/1162004886915096582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Rodriguez [scored seven goals and registered a further six assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-rodriguez/profil/spieler/88103) for Bayern last term, winning both the Bundesliga title and German Cup with the Bavarian outfit.

He returned to Madrid earlier this summer [after Bayern decided against making his signing permanent](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/real-madrid/transfer-talk/news/bayern-opt-against-rodriguez-signing_341709.html) and looked set to leave the Spanish capital amid interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including [Manchester United](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9653920/man-utd-real-madrid-transfer-offer-james-rodriguez-paul-pogba/) and [Arsenal](https://metro.co.uk/2019/03/15/real-madrid-set-price-arsenal-target-james-rodriguez-8907143/).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Keeping hold of Rodriguez would perhaps prove a shrewd move by Madrid; he may not have been prolific last season but he is still a good option to have available in that creative attacking role just behind the lone striker. Indeed, no one in the Madrid squad managed more [key passes](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/71182/History/James-Rodr%C3%ADguez) (2.6) per league game than the Colombian last season, so it’s clear he can offer something.

New arrival Eden Hazard looks set to be Zidane’s first-choice playmaker this term, but if things aren’t going well, being able to bring on a top-class midfielder from the sidelines could help out the side tremendously.

***Would you keep James? Join the discussion by commenting below…***