Grass not proving greener for James Rodgriuez after Everton exit - here’s how he fared on debut in Qatar

It was the transfer saga that dominated the summer.

A will he, won't he leave situation that was spun out for far longer than Everton would have liked.

Offloaded

It was early into his Goodison Park tenure when Rafa Benitez told James Rodriguez he wasn't in the Toffees' plans.

The new manager had concerns about whether Everton were getting full value for money from Colombian's high wages - believed to be around £200,000 - and if he could meet the intensity Benitez demanded.

Atletico Madrid and AC Milan were both linked as potential suitors for the playmaker, while he supposedly rebuffed a move to Porto as a makeweight in a deal for Luis Diaz.

Then there was a switch to Istanbul Basaksehir which Rodriguez snubbed after the summer transfer window in most leagues across Europe had shut.

As a result, it eventually led to the former Real Madrid star being forced to move to the middle east.

Last month, Rodriguez joined Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan for an undisclosed fee. He left Everton after scoring six goals in 26 games and not experiencing playing in front of a Goodison crowd.

Nightmare start

By the end of the palaver, even sections of fans who wanted to keep Rodriguez were glad to see the back of him.

They'd simply had enough after he failed to be involved in the seven games he was present for this season.

But the grass isn't proving greener for the 30-year-old so far.

Almost a month after his exit, Rodriguez finally made his debut for Al-Rayann on Sunday.

However, they were swept aside 3-0 by Al Duhail, whose side included ex-Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld.

To make matters worse, Al-Rayann have won just one of their opening six games of the season.

It now remains to be seen whether Rodriguez can reignite his career. After all, the World Cup takes place next year and he wants to force his way back into the Colombia set-up.

What will Everton do with the cash they received?

Rodriguez’s belated exit means Benitez has to wait until the January transfer window until he can recruit again.

The Blues chief has previously insisted that he will be allowed to reinvest the funds the club netted for Rodriguez back into his squad.

Cover for Seamus Coleman at right-back is regarded as a priority.

Meanwhile, another left-back to deputise for Lucas Digne or an additional centre-midfielder may also be coveted.