Zinedine Zidane: James Rodriguez is still part of my Real Madrid plans, but Jese would be better off leaving

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has revealed James Rodriguez is set to stay at the club this summer, but suggested that Jese would be best served by moving elsewhere.

Rodriguez made an impressive impact in his first season at Real, but he struggled to command a regular place in the starting line-up under Zidane last campaign and has been linked with a move away from the club.

Zidane, however, was keen to emphasise that the Colombian remains part of his plans for next season.

As reported by Football Espana, Zidane said: "The idea with James is the same. He’s a Madrid player. He’ll be back on July 26, with Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric and I’ll speak to him as I will with everyone. I won’t say that he’ll be a starter, just that he’s important."

"Certainly he played less last season but I don’t see him as a starter or not. I put him in when I could, and the same will happen this year. It’s a big squad and it’s hard to choose. But I always want the most competitive team."

Jese, meanwhile, featured for Real last season, but Zidane suggested that the 23-year-old should look to move elsewhere in search of regular playing time.

Zidane said: "It’s a difficult situation. Having a big squad causes problems, but it’s what you get as Coach of Madrid. I’m not against the idea of the kids leaving. A lot of them leave and return, like Morata, Lucas and Carvajal. Why couldn’t others go?"

"In any case the squad has depth and I’m happy, because they’ll all be needed with a lot of games to come. Jese is in the squad and it’s true that last year he didn’t play a lot."

"I’m the Madrid Coach and I want him, because I really like him, but if I was his family I’d tell him to look for more minutes. But I’m the Coach, and maybe he can get them here. We’ll see. But I’m happy with him because I know his quality."