James Rodriguez's Omission Reportedly Unsettling Real Madrid Dressing Room

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez's use of Colombian superstar James Rodriguez is unsettling players in the squad, as they disagree with his tactics and team selection.

Influential Spanish publication Marca reported Los Blancos are unhappy with the player's repeated omission from the starting XI, despite the fact that he arrived at the Bernabeu as one of the world's burgeoning talents:

"

There is a unanimity of opinion on James. Both in the dressing room and in the boardroom. The Colombian is an automatic starter for everyone. Real Madrid's [No. 10] unites both players and directors in their opinions, but for now, not Rafa Benitez, who must have his reasons. ...

The fact is that his place on the bench against PSG and Shakhtar confused a few people in the dugout. Benitez ended up unsettling a number of his players when he did not give the Colombian any playing time in those two matches and instead left him to watch dressed in his tracksuit.

"

Efrem Lukatsky/Associated Press

As expected, Benitez worked on Madrid's defensive qualities in the opening weeks of the season, and the side were more rigid and less likely to concede. However, this element has fallen apart in recent weeks, as Madrid were deconstructed by Barcelona in the Clasico, proving the team's issues reside at both ends of the pitch. 

James has become a bit-part player in the Spanish capital, starting only three times in La Liga under Benitez's stewardship in 2015-16, according to WhoScored.com. However, the 23-year-old has netted three goals in the league, proving he hasn't lost his touch in attack. 

Marca also claimed the 24-year-old "has been upset for a while," after Benitez substituted him recently, and the manager is "convinced that the player could give much more and thinks that he does not deserve more playing time than what he has been given."

Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press

ESPN's Eduardo Alvarez said player and manager must now find common ground to avoid implosion at the Bernabeu:

"

This is a textbook state of affairs in which coach and player need each other to make the team better. Real Madrid—and Benitez—requires the best James possible if they want to put Barcelona's dominance in Spain into question, while James must prove he can work under any manager and offer the same exemplary performance.

If James and Benitez can meet in the middle, this Real Madrid season could be salvaged. Otherwise, it will become a long, exasperating six months that will likely finish empty-handed for the second year in a row.

"

James is an immensely talented individual, but his work rate is not that of a player Benitez usually plumps for. The manager likes footballers who can add value at both ends of the pitch, and with Real stocked with flair, it isn't surprising the Colombian is missing out. 

However, as Alvarez claims, Madrid do need to find a formula that fits both Benitez and Rodriguez, otherwise one of the two men will be on their way from the Bernabeu.

History dictates that the manager is usually sacrificed first by Real president Florentino Perez, and James might have to simply sit tight on the Madrid bench until the inevitable happens.

Benitez's tenure will soon be over if his players continue to perform at the current standard, as Los Blancos sit six points behind Barca in the La Liga standings.