Rafa Benitez has stressed that James Rodriguez will remain in his plans as long as he stays at Everton – but has hinted that a departure may be close.James has reportedly been told he is free to leave the club this summer, with Everton looking to cut their wage bill as they fend off FFP charges.He was not in the squad for last weekend’s win over Southampton, though this was due to coronavirus isolation issues, and Benitez has now indicated that, until the transfer window closes on August 31, he has a chance of playing.FEATURE: Megs masters: The race to end Rashfords dominance has begun“I understand that people want to know everything but the situation is that he [James Rodriguez] is our player until the 31st of August – he was not available last week and he’s not available this week but maybe he will be available next week,” he told the BBC ahead of the clash with Leeds on Saturday.“Hopefully we can just carry on with the training sessions and see what happens at the end of the transfer window.”He added: “Until the 31st August – yes he’s in my plans.”The statements contradict what James had to say on a recent Twitch stream, when he admitted he didn’t even know who Everton were playing this weekend.“I will start training on Monday, I think,” he said.“On the weekend I will not play, I don’t even know who Everton is playing, can you please tell me?“I think it is away because the past was here at home. Ah, against Leeds they play, away from home, against [Marcelo] Bielsa, a difficult game, let’s see what happens, hopefully they win.”This disconnect from the club was evident in previous comments he made on a stream, when the uncertainty surrounding his future was laid bare.“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he told his fans. “I don’t know I don’t know where I’m going to play.“You know that in football and in life you don’t know anything, but all I know is that I’ve been training hard, preparing well, training for myself and that’s it.“It’s complicated. [I will play] wherever I’m wanted. Someone has to be at a place they’re wanted.”