While Bayern are out and about in Miami, there’s one name that you hear more than any other among the fans. “Where’s James?” ask the majority. The Colombian has a huge fan base in the Sunshine State, which is why he’s interrupted his holiday to pay a quick visit to his teammates on the Audi Summer Tour USA 2018. “There’s a high Latino population here and therefore a lot of Colombians,” said the 27-year-old, explaining the hype around him.
James will of course not be involved in Saturday evening’s friendly against Manchester City; he will begin training in Munich on 31 July. The injury which forced him to miss much of Colombia’s World Cup campaign has now fully healed and the attacker will face the same strenuous programme over the coming weeks that his teammates have been through.
Prepared for pre-season
“I’m looking forward to the tough training that comes with it,” he said. “I’ve been preparing myself well in recent weeks, so I’ll be able to cope.” James is not afraid of the hard work – indeed, he wants to put himself through pain in order to make this season better than the last.
“The first season was very positive. I want to win more trophies this season and be an important member of the team,” stated the left-footer, who then immediately cleared up the speculation around his future. “I’m very happy here. I’m only thinking about FC Bayern. It’s a magnificent club and I can see myself staying here for longer.” CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has already revealed that the German record champions will “take up the agreed purchase option with a reasonable degree of certainty”. Bayern fans will be able to continue chanting James’ name for some time.
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