Bayern Munich sign James Rodriguez on loan: 3 ways Carlo Ancelotti can use him
By James Dudko
Bayern Munich have signed James Rodriguez from Real Madrid on a two-year loan deal. Manager Carlo Ancelotti can use the Colombian forward in three different formations.
James Rodriguez has reunited with former manager Carlo Ancelotti after joining Bayern Munich on a two-year loan deal from Real Madrid, per BBC Sport.
The signing is a transfer masterstroke from Bayern. Ancelotti was in charge at Real when James was signed from AS Monaco for a deal worth £71 million in 2014.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed how Ancelotti wanted to work with James again, per the U.S. version of the club’s official website:
"Signing James Rodríguez was our coach Carlo Ancelotti’s biggest wish, following their successful spell working together in Madrid."
Ancelotti initially got the best out of the temperamental forward in Madrid. The Colombia international scored 13 times and provided as many assists during his debut season in La Liga, per WhoScored.com.
Things deteriorated for James once Ancelotti left Los Blancos in 2015. Let’s look at three ways the Italian can once again coax the best out James, this time in the Bundesliga:
1. As a No. 10 in a ‘Christmas Tree’ formation
Acelotti loved the so-called ‘Christmas Tree’ formation during his early years at AC Milan. He used creative duos such as Rui Costa and Kaka behind a lone frontman to help the Rossoneri dominate Europe.
A similar formula could work wonders at Bayern, where James and Arjen Robben would supply sole striker Robert Lewandowski with chances.
The fact both Robben and James are wide players who also like to come inside, lends this formation a healthy amount of flexibility. Their rotation of positions could also give Bayern the look of a more traditional tactical structure …
2. On the left in a 4-3-3
Perhaps the most obvious spot for James in Bayern’s ranks would be on the left side of a front three. The mercurial 25-year-old would make an obvious replacement for 34-year-old Franck Ribery.
Bayern appear ready to refresh their options on the flanks this summer. Rummenigge has confirmed talks are ongoing about letting Douglas Costa join Juventus, per ESPN.co.uk’s Ben Gladwell:
"The current state of affairs is that we are holding serious talks with Juventus, I can confirm that, but we don’t have a deal ready to be signed today. We are in negotiations and I would say these are positive and very serious, but I cannot say it is a done deal today."
A motivated James would be an upgrade on both Costa and Ribery. His penchant for cutting in and firing off shots at goal, akin to Robben, would give Bayern more goals from the flanks.
James might become the creative and free-scoring left-sided player Florent Malouda was in the 4-3-3 Ancelotti employed to win a Premier League and FA Cup double with Chelsea in 2009/10.
Yet while he’s effective from the wing, don’t underestimate James’ influence in central areas.
1. At the tip of a diamond
Ancelotti originally tried to play a 4-4-2 diamond when he arrived at Chelsea in 2009. While it didn’t take in west London, the diamond could work wonders for James in Munich.
The one-time Porto star would be the natural No. 10 at the tip of the diamond. There’s a lot to recommend this approach.
For one thing, playing James centrally would take more advantage of his vision and flair between the lines. He would also have greater freedom to showcase his keen eye for goal.
Playing in a similar role just off the striker for Colombia has often brought out the player’s best at international level. It’s also the same way Ancelotti eventually deployed Kaka in Milan.
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Putting James at number 10 would let Bayern play with two strikers more often, giving Lewandowski more support. Ancelotti could restore the prolific Thomas Muller to the starting XI more often or even play Robben further forward, a role he has sometimes enjoyed for the Netherlands national team.
No matter how they use James, Bayern have engineered a coup with this deal. Along with the signing of goalscoring midfielder Corentin Tolisso from Lyon, James will give Ancelotti more forward-thinking fluidity in a team sure to be a joy to watch in the Bundesliga and Champions League next season.