James Rodriguez expects Monaco success

Monaco forward James Rodriguez has insisted that he can cope without Champions League football this season, while predicting a strong start from his new side in Ligue 1.

Rodriguez joined Claudio Ranieri's team for a fee of £38m earlier this summer along with former Porto teammates Joao Moutinho and Radamel Falcao.

He told Goal.com: "I won't miss it at all. I can play in the Champions League another year. Because I know Monaco, with the players we've got, will be victorious and play in the Champions League next year.

"Signing Falcao and Moutinho will help a lot. I've been playing with great players who have been top figures, and who are now here. I think that's important. With good players it's easy to play and adapt. This new project they have interests me a lot and I came here to win titles, too.

"Of course [we can challenge for the title], why not? PSG are a strong team, and other teams in this league are good. But we'll compete with them until the last game. We know we have good players and a good team to win the league."

The 22-year-old is expected to make his competitive debut for Monaco in their opening league fixture against Bordeaux this weekend.