James Rodriguez's future remains a mystery. Rumors are floating of an impending move to Chelsea, but the reality is that the Colombian remains a part of Real Madrid despite being a bench player.

He featured in the opener against Real Sociedad and created several scoring chances for the club, eventually creating the assist on Gareth Bale's second goal of the evening. The reality however is that Rodriguez is behind Isco, Mateo Kovacic, Alvaro Morata (who he replaced), Lucas Vasquez and youngster Marco Asensio on the depth chart. Asensio and Morata only started because Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are out injured. If coach Zinedine Zidane has his way and remains consistent with the current hierarchy, Rodriguez is not getting anywhere near having a chance at playing consistently.

And that he must.

The competition on the depth chart

At age 25, he is entering the prime of his career and is arguably one of the most talented players at Madrid. Of the players ahead of him on the depth chart, none have the creativity of upside of the Colombian captain. Isco is talented but wasteful with possession at times. He also lacks the creativity and goalscoring ability of Rodriguez.

Kovacic is still a rather unpolished player. Lucas Vasquez works hard and has speed but he is not on the same level as the Colombian and never will be. Asensio is a prospect that still has a lot to prove, but he might have the potential to be as good as the Colombian.

Why he stands no chance at getting to play

The bottom line is this: the Colombian must demand a way out of Madrid. It is noble of him to want to fight for his spot, but he is likely not going to win that fight. As it stands, Zidane will field the BBC of Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema up top when healthy. And when a rotation beckons, Vasquez, Morata and Asensio are likely the players.

In the midfield, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro are the men holding down the fort. Rodriguez could get some time there, but Isco and Kovacic are ahead of him in the rotation.

He was played as a sub in the team's La Liga opener and put on a solid performance. He created chances, created a goal for Gareth Bale and looked hungry throughout. If that does not earn him more playing time, then the writing on the wall will be as clear as ever.

Arsenal and Chelsea are apparently interested in his services. He is far more talented than most players on either side, though Arsenal does have Mesut Ozil and that could limit Rodriguez's time on the pitch as well.