James Rodriguez Colombia 2022 FIFA World Cup
James Rodriguez Colombia Everton

England finished second in their Group at the 2018 World Cup and are now scheduled to face Colombia in their Round of 16 game on Tuesday evening.

Despite showing a string of fine performances during the group stage, there is a sense of trepidation amongst the Three Lions fans before their team faces Colombia.

And the biggest reason for that is James Rodriguez.




The Bayern Munich playmaker is expected to be the man to watch out for Colombia when they take on England – but only if he can make himself available for the fixture.

Yes, Rodriguez is now a major injury doubt during the Round of 16 match.




James came into this tournament with a calf injury as a result of which he started Colombia opener against Japan on the bench. Against Poland, he made it to the pitch but did not look a 100% despite the team management claiming that the playmaker had fully recovered from his injury.

But it was against Senegal that James Rodriguez had to be taken off the game just at the half-hour mark and now there are major doubts about his participation versus England.




James Rodriguez has aggravated his half calf injury but the team management has claimed that there is only a swelling in the injured area and no torn muscles.

A calf injury generally takes three to four weeks to properly heal and meaning that there is no chance that James Rodriguez will be a 100% when Colombia take on England on Tuesday.




Having said that though, the playmaker has travelled with the team to Moscow which might indicate that the Colombian coach has every intention of using him during the match.

Now, will he use James Rodriguez as from the start or as a substitute we will have to wait and see?



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