JAMES HAVE BE PATIENT IN MADRID SAY COLOMBIA COACH PEKERMAN

Colombia manager José Pekerman has told James Rodriguez to be patient in the face of the coaching change at Real Madrid as the 24-year-old midfielder struggles to fit into the plan of Zinedine Zidane, according to a report.
"Lately, we haven't spoke, but we did speak around New Year's," Pekerman told El Tiempo. "He had a lot of worries about the coaching change and he was anxious that the situation be resolved as quickly as possible because he remembered how the previous coaching change went. I had to calm him down."
"I continue to think that the change will be a positive one," the Colombia coach said. "He must be patient. He is unbeatable. He meets all the criteria. We all want him to be a starter and to be in that role with the national team as well. He needs to know that we need him to stay positive."
Spanish media reports have said that James has been slow to follow the instructions of the French legend. Pekerman said that he has no doubt that Rodriguez's current status with the club will serve to help the young star mature and grow. Spanish media reports say that James Rodriguez has been slow to heed the counsel of his new coach.
"Just as Real Madrid are the maximum expression of world football, everything that they do is news and the news is of all types and kinds," Pekerman said. "I think James is a great player, a professional. He is aware that he represents Colombia and he has the intelligence to come out ahead.
"This is a tough time for him and it will serve as a great experience for a young man who has had to grow up very quickly. He is going through a challenge as all great players do, but we are not losing hope that he will reclaim his spot. He is very honest and straightforward, he is just going through a very different stage and it will all work out for him."
"I always have had hope that he can get out of this situation," Pekerman said of the Colombia national team star. "He is very strong and everything has happened to him all at once. We try to keep in close contact. I think he will be back to normal in a few weeks."
Last month, interim manager Guus Hiddink confirmed that Falcao had aggravated what former boss Jose Mourinho described as "an important muscular injury" first sustained in November, and Monaco decided against recalling the Colombian from his loan spell at Stamford Bridge in January after assessing his condition.