5 most underutilised players of 2016

#1 James Rodriguez

Rodriguez has been linked with several clubs this year

The Columbian superstar was signed for a whopping €80 million by Real Madrid in the summer of 2014. To accommodate him, Real Madrid sold their Champions league final man of the match, Angel Di Maria.

While he was under a lot of media scrutiny, the questions were answered soon with his performances. He formed an all-conquering midfield partnership with Modric and Kroos as they went on to make history with an unbeaten run. But as soon as that run ended, his performances dried out. As Ancelotti was sacked at the end of the season, he struggled under Benitez. When Benitez was sacked mid-season, Zidane took over and it seemed like Rodriguez had received another lifeline.

But Zidane has preferred a midfield of Casemiro, Kroos and Modric. Lacking the pace to play on the wings, the Colombian has not been able to be a first choice player for the Los Blancos under Zidane. For the price he was signed for and the talent that he possesses, Rodriguez has been heavily underutilised under Zidane.

The Columbian attacker has confirmed that he could be leaving in January and with Chelsea heavily rumoured to be after him, he could revive his career under Conte.