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James Rodriguez: Lee Dixon makes Harry Kane claim about Colombia star
COLOMBIA being without James Rodriguez is the same as Harry Kane being absent for England.
That is the opinion of ITV Sport pundit and former England right-back Lee Dixon.
Rodriguez misses tonight’s World Cup last-16 clash due to a calf injury sustained earlier in the tournament.
The playmaker has not even been named on the substitutes bench for the match in Moscow.
And Dixon believes that will play a big part in tonight’s game.
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The biggest thing for me tonight, or one of the biggest things, is James Rodriguez not playing
“The biggest thing for me tonight, or one of the biggest things, is James Rodriguez not playing,” the Arsenal legend said.
“Their best player isn’t on the pitch. I think he’s a proper player, and he’s not there.
“That’s like us missing Harry Kane or somebody like that.”
Another former England right-back Gary Neville agrees with Dixon and says Rodriguez is Colombia’s only world-class player.
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“Colombia aren’t what you regard as a big team,” he said.
“They’ve not got their one world-class player.
“(Radamel) Falcao would have been world class probably three or four years ago.
“He’s not now, he’s still a danger and they have to deal with him.”