So, what can really be gleaned from Manuel Pellegrini’s comments about a potential reunion with West Ham United midfielder Guido Rodriguez at Real Betis?
On one hand, Pellegrini was in no mood to fuel the fire.
On the other, the former West Ham United coach starting his sixth season in the Real Betis dugout admits that a midfielder in the Guido Rodriguez mould is indeed something missing from his Los Verdiblancos squad.
Hammers News revealed at the beginning of the month that the World Cup winner was hoping to re-join Real Betis one year after he left the Estadio Benito Villamarin as a free agent.
A source has since claimed that Saudi Arabia is Rodriguez’s most likely destination, however. West Ham could bring in upwards of £6 million should the Argentine opt for a fresh start in the Middle East, albeit the man himself appears to have ideas of his own.
As for Pellegrini, in quotes reported by Estadio Deportivo, the 71-year-old Chilean kept his cards close to his chest albeit while leaving the proverbial door ajar.
Former West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini during Real Betis v Villarreal CF - LaLiga Santander
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Manuel Pellegrini
Andalusian publication Diario de Sevilla reported earlier this month that Real Betis had placed Rodriguez on the backburner. Pellegrini and co were prioritising getting Marc Roca, the former Bayern Munich man signed from Leeds United, back to full fitness, while also placing their trust in rising star Sergi Altimira.
But, with two La Liga matches down, Pellegrini has seen enough vulnerabilities at the heart of his midfield to suggest that an outside solution must be sourced.
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“The first thing is that I haven’t mentioned Guido’s name in any press conference,” Pellegrini hits back, in quotes reported by Estadio Deportivo. “I’ve never spoken about names that could come or go, so that’s speculation.
“It’s press stuff, and I’m not aware of any of it.
“[But] I gave my opinion, that I think we’re missing someone for that position, and we’ll see if we can bring him in or not. And, if we can bring someone in, [it must be] a good reinforcement.”
Real Betis followed up an opening weekend draw with Elche by beating Alaves 1-0 on Friday. Altimira started alongside Pablo Fornals – who Pellegrini brought with him to Betis – in a deep-lying midfield two.
Fornals excelled in possession with a handful of defence-splitting passes, but he lacks the defensive awareness of a natural number six.
“As for Altimira, it’s true that he’s getting used to that position. Both he and Pablo (Fornals) are trying to defend and are progressing as they play there more,” adds Pellegrini. “But it’s not a question of choosing one player or another.
“Rather, it’s a question of a position that needs to be improved in order to compete.”
Guido Rodriguez during Nottingham Forest FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Rodriguez dropped by Graham Potter for Chelsea clash after Sunderland nightmare
Graham Potter dropped Guido Rodriguez after his ageing midfield fell apart like wet tissue paper at Sunderland on matchday one. Tomas Soucek came in for the well-travelled 31-year-old, though his involvement made little difference as Chelsea ran riot at the London Stadium last time out.
Rodriguez had initially hoped to silence his critics following a difficult first season in England. Those plans appear to be in tatters already, however, after just 71 punishing minutes on Wearside.
“I’ve been working hard as always, and the truth is that I feel good,” Rodriguez said earlier in the summer.
“Last year, I had arrived very close to the start of the Premier League, and I had not had a pre-season. Pre-seasons are always important, and good to experience, so I’m happy to have been here for the whole thing this time. I think it’s going to help me on the pitch.
“I am in constant communication with the coach, and talking to him about what he wants for me. So for now, things are positive and heading in the right direction.”