James Rodriguez compares situation at Everton to Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi’s at Barcelona as he admits he only joined Toffees because of Carlo Ancelotti

James Rodriguez has admitted he is in the dark over his Everton future and conceded the only reason he joined the club was because of Carlo Ancelotti.

The Colombia international joined the Toffees for £12million last summer and initially made a great impression at Goodison Park, starting the campaign with a flurry of goals and assists.

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However, he lost form as the season progressed and as a result, has been told he can leave the club this summer by new manager Rafael Benitez, who has succeeded Ancelotti after he left the club in June to return to Real Madrid.

Rodriguez says his situation is similar to that of Sergio Aguero, who joined he Catalan club this summer with the hope of playing with Messi.

However, in a dramatic turn of events on Thursday, it was announced Messi is leaving the club for good following shock revelations that a new contract with Barca couldn't be agreed.

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According to El Espanol via Sport Witness, Rodriguez said: “Kun Agüero went to Barcelona, and now Messi is leaving. They just happen to be little breadsticks, partners.

“Those are the things that football has. The same thing happened to me. I go to Everton, practically because Ancelotti was there and look, now Carlo is gone.

“I don’t know what is going to happen. In football and in life, we don’t know anything. Let’s see what happens.”

“All I know is that I’m training hard, preparing well,” he added. “That’s it, that’s the most important thing.

“You have to think about the present, and the present is that I’m here and I’m training hard and physically well for everything that’s coming.”

Everton get the new campaign off with a home clash against Southampton on August 14, before travelling to Leeds and Brighton ahead of the transfer window closing on the last day of the month.