I want James to stay - Zidane

Forum 7 years ago

I want James to stay - Zidane

The Real Madrid coach has admitted that his side consists of too many playmakers, but wants the Colombian star to stay for at least another season
Zinedine Zidane has cast uncertainty over the future of Isco, but insists he wants James Rodriguez to stay.

James has been constantly linked with a move away from the Spanish capital as he seemed to have fallen out of favour under Zidane, having previously played larger roles under former coaches Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez.

Isco, meanwhile, has also been the subject of speculation, having been in and out of the Madrid first-team last term.

The two players and 20-year-old Marco Asensio will all be competing for the same position heading into the 2016-17 season.

And Zidane has admitted he will find it difficult to fit everyone in, suggesting there could be some departures this summer, but he maintains he wants the Colombian to stay.

"There are many players in that position, so nothing is closed," he told reporters. "We will talk about this when we return to Madrid.

"There are many players in this position and it is difficult to fit them all in. Moreover, they are all very good. We will make decisions.

"I do not want James to leave. He is a Madrid player, he just wants to play more, but you have to do what he is doing and work.

"I hope to play him more this year but I want everyone to give their maximum, and then I decide before every game.

"And I have 25 players, so I do not have anything against James, people always ask me the same. James is well in Madrid."