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'He's got more assists and goals than he did sprints': Carlo Ancelotti claims James Rodriguez reminds him of Ronaldo as he defends the Everton star after stats revealed his lack of running

Carlo Ancelotti has leapt to the defence of Everton's star man James Rodriguez and his lack of sprints on the pitch.

The 29-year-old Colombian has confounded fears he would struggle with the intensity of the Premier League with three goals and three assists so far.

And Ancelotti claims his approach to getting the best out of his summer signing from Real Madrid has been to let him concentrate on his own game, like he did with Ronaldo during his time at AC Milan.

Carlo Ancelotti (centre) has defended James Rodriguez and his lack of sprints on the pitch
The Colombian has three goals and three assists since joining Everton from Real Madrid

The Italian told France Football: 'We use them (running statistics), especially in training, but I'm going to tell you something: when I signed James this summer, everyone was worried about his physical state and to see how he'd cope with the intensity of the Premier League.