Carlos Valderrama is a big admirer of his countryman.
Colombian legend Carlos Valderrama has said that James Rodriguez will prove his worth to new club Real Madrid following his £63 million move to the Champions League winners during the summer, Goal.com reports.
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Rodriguez has so far scored three goals in 12 appearances for his new club but some pundits have criticised him for his patchy form and compared him with Angel Di Maria, the man he replaced in the Los Blancos line-up following the Argentine’s £59.7 million move to Manchester United.
Valderrama has decided to rush to his countryman’s defence and insists that the 23-year-old will re-pay the hefty transfer fee that Real paid.
“James showed his quality in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil,” he is quoted as saying by AS.
“The mere fact that he has adapted to an important group of quality players who are already established, has merit on its own. And for one so young like he is, even more so.
“It’s an important period for him to learn. [The transfer fee] is a normal figure. Madrid paid what James is worth.
“Now it’s his chance. He’s 23 and hopes to last at Madrid for a long time.”
The Spanish giants have recovered from a poor start to the season and currently sit fourth in the La Liga table, four points behind rivals Barcelona who they meet on October 25th at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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