Rafa gets to work at Everton
Everton returned for pre-season training this week and newly installed manager Rafa Benitez phoned all first team players to introduce himself
beforehand. On his arrival at Finch Farm training ground he held phone talks with club captain Seamus Coleman who was full of praise and enthusiasm for Rafa’s ideas for the team. England’s Euro goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also spoke with Rafa by phone from the national team hotel and is also very upbeat by what Rafa had to say. Coleman will be back at the club on Monday. Dominic-Calvert Lewin, Pickford and Richarlison return in about a week’s time after resting from international duties. One player who I am not sure about is star player James Rodriguez. He and Benitez had a difficult relationship when they were both at Real Madrid. The Columbian was due to be away for a long period this summer but he was left out of the national squad and returns on Monday. Rodriguez reacted badly to being left out of Rafa’s team at Madrid where the manager called into question his fitness levels and they have also been a problem at Everton where he sustained calf problems and missed much of the season and the final five of six games. However, Rodriguez is a quality player and a former World Cup Golden Boot competition winner.