Jupp Heynckes: "James Rodriguez is a God-send, but he can play better!"
After another Man of the Match performance from Bayern Munich’s Colombian sensation with a goal and an assist in their 2-0 win over Mainz, Jupp Heynckes has praised James Rodriguez while adding fuel to his fire by saying he expects even more.
James is Heynckes’ favourite midfielder, having started the 26-year-old in 11 of his 12 appearances so far this season for a total of 939 minutes. And Heynckes couldn't be more grateful to have the left-footed wizard.
“In his current form and how he has integrated himself, James is a God-send for Bayern Munich,” Heynckes told a press conference before Bayern Munich’s DFB Cup game against Paderborn on Tuesday.
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“At Real Madrid he wasn’t getting the game time that a player of his calibre deserves. You get the feeling that he is happy in Munich, because it’s not easy when someone comes into a new country, culture, language and way of life.
“He is playing well, but he can play better. I have told him personally how I think he can improve.”
Watch: All of James' goals and assists this season!
James' four goals and six assists this season make him Bayern’s third-most productive player with goals in the Bundesliga, behind only Thomas Müller (four goals, seven assists) and Robert Lewandowski (18 goals, 1 assist).
The Colombian will next be in action when Bayern face Paderborn on Tuesday in the DFB Cup.